BRC-NIQ SHOP PRICE MONITOR – MAY 2026
Period Covered:
01 – 07 May
2026
- Shop price inflation increased to 1.2% year on year in May,
against growth of 1.0% in April. This is above the 3-month
average of 1.1%.
- Non-Food inflation increased to 0.5% year on year in May,
against a decline of -0.1% in April. This is above the 3-month
average of 0.1%.
- Food inflation decreased to 2.7% year on year in May, against
growth of 3.1% in April. This is below the 3-month average of
3.1%.
- Fresh Food inflation decreased to 3.4% year on year in May,
against growth of 3.9% in April. This is below the 3-month
average of 3.9%.
- Ambient Food inflation decreased to 1.6% year on year in May,
against growth of 2.1% in April. This is below the 3-month
average of 1.9%.
|
|
Overall SPM
|
Food
|
Non-Food
|
|
% Change
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
On last year
|
On last month
|
|
May-26
|
1.2
|
0.5
|
2.7
|
-0.1
|
0.5
|
0.8
|
|
Apr-26
|
1.0
|
-0.2
|
3.1
|
0.5
|
-0.1
|
-0.6
|
Note: Month-on-month % change refers to changes in the
level of prices.
Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC,
said:
“Shop price inflation edged up in May as non-food prices rose.
Furniture and health & beauty saw the sharpest increases,
driven by rising raw material and shipping costs. Customers were
still able to find bargains, with prices for TVs and audiovisual
equipment falling as retailers help people get World Cup ready.
Households did benefit from food inflation falling to its lowest
level in a year, as intense competition among supermarkets
continued to deliver value and savings.
“While retailers work hard to keep prices down for customers,
they continue to face significant cost pressures, including
higher energy bills and disruption linked to the conflict in
Iran. Businesses cannot absorb these costs indefinitely, which
risks pushing prices higher in the months ahead. To help protect
households, Government should take action to reduce business
costs. Reducing the non-commodity charges, taxes and levies that
make up more than two-thirds of energy bills, and cutting red
tape would help keep inflation down.”
Mike Watkins, Head of Retailer and Business Insight, NIQ,
said:
“Food inflation is still around the same level as a year ago,
helped by supermarkets maintaining promotions after Easter, but
prices are now starting to creep up for non-food after a period
of deflation. With external inflationary pressure building and
many households cautious about spending, we can expect promotions
across all of retail to increase over the summer months.”
