Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Cheapest grocery items surging in cost, says ONS

Cheapest grocery items surging in cost, says ONS
(Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Getty Images

The price of budget everyday grocery items have increased 17 per cent in the 12 months to September, more than the average rate of food and drink inflation which currently stands at 14.5 per cent, shows the data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS).

The analysis covered 30 everyday grocery items sold in supermarkets. It found that the cost of vegetable oil had jumped 65 per cent, while pasta and tea were up 60 per cent and 46 per cent respectively. Others products that have seen big rises included chips (+39 per cent), bread (+38 per cent), and biscuits (+34 per cent).


For nine items, the lowest-cost price increased by more than 20 per cent since September 2021, and for three of those nine items the lowest-cost price rose by 40 per cent or more, stated ONS.

Between April 2022 and September 2022, the three largest average price rises in cash terms were vegetable oil (up 80 pence for 1 litre to £2.58), chips (up 27 pence to £1.37 for 1.5kg) and milk (up 25 pence to £1.52 for 4 pints)

ONS

Source: Office for National Statistics – Tracking the lowest cost grocery items. However, some items did reduce in price, such as fruit orange juice (nine per cent) and beef mince (seven per cent). Several items had a very stable lowest price throughout the entire period, such as yoghurt and pizza, ONS said.

Speaking to the BBC, Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, Prof Sir Ian Diamond, said: “What we are seeing is that the price of low-cost goods is going up at the same rate as food across the piece with some real highlights… cooking oil and pasta, I would add tea, chips and bread to that – really going up and very, very few things going down at all.

“We are really seeing that the squeeze on people who buy the lowest cost things is pretty hard at the moment.”

More for you

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

Volumatic welcomes new FCA rules safeguarding access to cash

As industry leaders is cash handling, Volumatic has long supported the use of cash and the importance of maintaining access to cash for both consumers and businesses. The company recognises the importance of the new set of rules created by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) two months ago, to safeguard access to cash for businesses and consumers across the UK.

Since introduction, the new rules are intended to ensure that individuals and businesses who rely on cash can continue to access it and the outcome has already sparked the creation of 15 new banking hubs across the UK, including one in Scotland, with many more to follow.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jisp unveils new NPD service

Jisp unveils new NPD service

Retail technology company Jisp has launched an NPD service as part of its new Direct to Retailer business unit.

The new NPD service will allow brands to launch or trial new products in a guaranteed number of convenience store locations, with on the ground review of execution by Jisp’s retail growth manager team, and performance data and insights deliverable through its scanning technology and back-office systems.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores
File image of Tesco Express

Tesco launches price cuts in Express convenience stores

Tesco is slashing the price of more than 222 own-brand and branded products in its Express convenience stores.

Essentials including milk, bread, pasta and coffee are included in the lines which have been reduced in price by an average of more than 10 per cent at Tesco Express stores. The retail giant has made more than 2,800 price cuts across stores in recent months. With 2,048 of convenience stores at the end of the 2023-24 financial year, Tesco aims to benefit hundreds of thousands of customers from the cheaper deals.

Keep ReadingShow less
vape and cigarette
Photo: iStock

One in five ex-smokers in England now vape, study finds


Summary
1. One in five people who have successfully quit smoking in England currently vape, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals using e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation tool.
2. The increase in vaping among ex-smokers is largely driven by the use of e-cigarettes in quit attempts, with a rise in vaping uptake among people who had previously quit smoking for many years before taking up vaping.
3. While vaping may be a less harmful option compared to smoking, there are concerns about the potential long-term implications of vaping on relapse risk and nicotine addiction. Further research is needed to assess the impact of vaping on smoking cessation outcomes.


Keep ReadingShow less
Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform
(Photo by Christopher Furlong/Getty Images)
Getty Images

Bira engages with Treasury on Budget fallout, business rate reform

Independent retailers association Bira has held a meeting with members of the Treasury team to discuss concerns following its robust response to the Government’s recent Budget announcement.

The Budget, labelled by Bira as "devastating" for independent retailers, was met with widespread indignation from Bira members.

Keep ReadingShow less