Brits Hit the Grocery Roadblock – Summer’s Soaking and Shopping’s Slow
Grocery inflation’s been easing for the 16th month in a row, yet supermarket prices still outshine a year earlier by 2.1%. Meanwhile, shop visits have dipped: the usual grocery haul shifted from 16.4 stops a year ago to 16.3 this June.
Prices, Pants and a Peculiar Shopping List
- Sun‑care purchases spiked by nearly 25%. Summer looks bleak, but sunscreen remains hot.
- Fresh soups jumped almost 34%. Nothing beats a steamy pot on a rainy day.
- Prepared salads fell 11%. Maybe the frozen packs are just not cutting it.
Why the Streets Are Sparser
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, notes the wettest spring on record has dampened spirits — and shoppers’ spirits too.
“Shop‑to‑shop trips are fewer. People aren’t chasing the usual summertime staples yet, and they’re buying more things you wouldn’t expect in June.”
He warns the cost‑of‑living crisis is still alive. 22% of households say they’re struggling to keep up, struggling to pay bills or just skirting the brink.
But There’s a Silver Lining
With the inflation tick ticking down, many feel they can eat their cake without tripping over the budget. Lower price pressure is giving pockets a breathing space.
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