LONDON

UK grocery inflation has reached its lowest point since 2022 but remained in double digits with 16.5% for the four-week period ending on Jun. 11, the data firm Kantar said Tuesday. 

"This is the lowest rate of grocery price inflation we’ve seen in 2023, which will be a relief to shoppers and retailers," it said.

But the firm also underlined the figure "isn’t something to celebrate and it’s still the sixth highest monthly figure in the past 15 years."

Consumers are adopting strategies to mitigate the impact of inflation, with many avoiding the brunt of price increases by opting for more affordable store brand products, the data firm stressed.

Demand for these value ranges has surged 41% compared to the previous year, prompting retailers to expand their offerings to cater to this growing need, it said.

The rising cost-of-living crisis has also influenced shopping habits, particularly in terms of food choices and cooking practices.

As people grapple with financial constraints, they are increasingly conscious of what they eat and how they prepare meals.

"Our data shows that the public are turning away from their oven and increasingly using microwaves, which reflects the shift to simpler cooking.

"There were 4% fewer meals made using an oven according to our most recent 12-week data compared to the same period last year, while microwaved meals rose by 8%," it said.