U.K. Shop Price Inflation Rose in December as Food Costs Increased

In December 2025, shop‑price inflation in the United Kingdom edged higher, driven by rising food prices, according to industry data. Annual shop‑price inflation increased to about 0.7% in December, up from 0.6% in November, as consumers continued to face cost pressures at the grocery checkout. The main driver of this uptick was food inflation, which climbed to around 3.3% year‑on‑year in December, compared with roughly 3.0% in the previous month. By contrast, prices for non‑food items continued to fall, declining about 0.6% year‑on‑year — the same pace of decline seen in November — as retailers used promotions and discounts to attract customers. Industry groups such as the British Retail Consortium noted that while overall inflationary pressures may have peaked, shoppers remain cautious and are likely to keep seeking value deals in 2026. Retailers also cautioned that broader cost pressures — including regulatory expenses and a rising minimum wage — could keep inflation “sticky,” particularly for essentials like food. #UKinflation #foodprices #shoppriceinflation #costofliving #SlimScan #GrowthStocks #CANSLIM