Responding to the latest CPI inflation
figures, which show headline inflation easing to 3.2% and food
inflation easing to 4.2%, Dr Kris Hamer, Director of Insight at
the British Retail Consortium, said:
“Headline inflation eased back considerably last month, driven by
extensive discounting by retailers across Black Friday month.
With many customers kicking off their Christmas shopping, there
will have been relief to see the price of clothing and footwear
fall on the year. And while high labour and commodity costs have
pushed up food inflation over 2025, bigger promotions ahead of
Christmas helped to bring this figure down. As a result, there
were deals to be had, with bigger discounts seen for some meat
products such as pork, lamb and chicken.
“While retailers are trying to offer their customers great value
in the run up to Christmas, Government imposed costs including
the recent packaging tax, has made this increasingly difficult.
Looking ahead to next year, it is vital that Government works
with industry to create a policy environment that eases the cost
and regulatory burden on the industry and allows retailers to
invest more in both their prices and customer experience.”
-ENDS-
Notes:
-
ONS Consumer Price Index figures
|
Year on Year changes
|
Oct-25
|
Nov-25
|
|
CPI (overall index)
|
3.6%
|
3.2%
|
|
01 Food and non-alcoholic beverages
|
4.9%
|
4.2%
|
|
02 Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
|
5.9%
|
4.0%
|
|
03 Clothing and footwear
|
0.3%
|
-0.6%
|
|
04 Housing, water, electricity, gas and
other fuels
|
5.2%
|
5.1%
|
|
05 Furniture, household equipment and
maintenance
|
0.3%
|
-0.3%
|
|
06 Health
|
2.7%
|
2.6%
|
|
07 Transport
|
3.8%
|
3.7%
|
|
08 Communication
|
4.3%
|
4.8%
|
|
09 Recreation and culture
|
2.9%
|
2.9%
|
|
10 Education
|
7.6%
|
7.6%
|
|
11 Restaurants and hotels
|
3.8%
|
3.5%
|
|
12 Miscellaneous goods and services
|
2.3%
|
2.1%
|
