Price rises of items on shelves slowed in June, according to industry data.
Research compiled by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) said shop price annual inflation rose by 8.4% in June compared to the same month last year.
June’s figure was down from May’s 9% increase, which was the highest rate since BRC records began in 2005.
Food price inflation decelerated to 14.6% in June, down from 15.4% in May, and below the three-month average of 15.2%.
This is the second month food inflation has fallen this year, according to the BRC, which reported a slight dip in April.
"If the current situation continues, food inflation should drop to single digits later this year," BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson said.
Many retailers cut the price of essentials, such as milk, cheese and eggs, which helped see inflation fall.
Executives of supermarkets have recently been in the firing line, facing accusations of ‘greedflation’ from some members of parliament yesterday.