UK shop price inflation hit its lowest level in almost a year in August, driven by an easing in the rise of food prices.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said the annual rate decelerated to 6.9% in August, down from 8.4% in July and the lowest level since October 2022.
"Better news for consumers as shop price inflation in August eased to its lowest level since October 2022," said BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson.
"This was driven by falling food inflation, particularly for products such as meat, potatoes and some cooking oils."
"These figures would have been lower still had the [UK] government not increased alcohol duties earlier this month," she said.
Today at @the_brc we published the latest Shop Price Inflation report, covering the month of August
Inflation continues to fall ???? pic.twitter.com/KpPnaCcYFT
— Harvir Dhillon (@HarvirDhillon) August 29, 2023
The figures showed food inflation cooled to 11.5% in August, down from 13.4% the previous month and the lowest level since September last year.
The biggest change came in fresh food, where inflation fell to 11.6% this month, down from 14.3% in July, the lowest level in a year.