NielsenIQ unveils EU5 FMCG inflation barometer for Western Europe

NielsenIQ (NIQ) launched its new EU5 FMCG Inflation Barometer, a monthly monitor covering the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain. The tool is designed to help retailers, manufacturers and media track price developments in the grocery sector and understand how shoppers respond to higher costs.

The first edition shows overall FMCG inflation in the five markets slowed to +1.1% in May 2026, but with marked differences. The United Kingdom recorded the highest inflation at +2.3% above the EU5 average, while France posted deflation at –0.4% and Italy a modest rise of +0.6%. Category‑level data highlighted non‑alcoholic beverages in the UK with the steepest price increase (+4.4%). Benjamin Cawthray, client director at NielsenIQ, noted that the barometer reveals a growing gap between FMCG price trends and broader consumer inflation across Europe.