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[BUSINESS] · United Kingdom · 8 sources

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Part of situation: European inflation and cost of living trends (2 clusters)

UK food inflation rises to 2.9% in October

food inflation British Retail Consortium UK economy retail costs ambient groceries

Annual food inflation in the UK rose to 2.9% in October, up from 2.5% in September, according to data from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NIQ. The increase was primarily driven by ambient groceries, such as pasta, rice, and cereals, which saw inflation climb to 3.2% from 2.2% the previous month. Fresh food inflation remained stable at 2.6%.

Overall shop price inflation also accelerated, rising to 2.1% from 1.4% in the previous month. Non-food inflation increased from 0.8% in September to 1.7% in October, influenced by rising energy and transport costs.

BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson warned that retailers are struggling to absorb mounting operating costs, including business rates, employment costs, energy bills, and packaging taxes. Ahead of the upcoming Budget, the BRC is urging the Chancellor to take action by slashing employment costs, canceling a 3.5% business rates increase, and removing shops from the high-value surtax to prevent further price hikes.

Entities

British Retail Consortium · Helen Dickinson · Mike Watkins · NIQ · United Kingdom

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Food Inflation Rises To 2.9% As Retailers Urge Budget Action [www.fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk]
(RBNZ) OCR held at 2.75% [www.actionforex.com]
Healey confirms 2% inflation target for MPC with CPI at 3.1% in August [www.financial-news.co.uk]
Irish retail sales dip 0.4% in September - Shelflife Magazine [www.shelflife.ie]
Economy – OCR held at 2.75% [livenews.co.nz]
UK food inflation rises to 2.9% – weekly shop costs [skintdad.co.uk]
More than eight in ten Brits fear rising prices, poll shows [www.talkingretail.com]
Act now or face rising food prices, BRC warns Chancellor ahead of budget [www.thegrocer.co.uk]