Business · Economy · 3 hrs ago
UK grocery inflation rises as shoppers turn to supermarket deals
UK supermarket prices rose 2.5% in a year in the four weeks to 4 October, up from 2.3% the previous month.
The figures from Worldpanel by Numerator cover grocery shopping across the UK.
Shoppers spent more than £250m extra on promotions compared with the same period last year, using offers to control bills and make more expensive products or larger packs affordable.
Household budgets remain under pressure, with Worldpanel saying more than half of shoppers were very or extremely worried about petrol prices and almost one in three said fuel costs were already affecting their finances.
Chocolate confectionery prices fell 3% from a year earlier, offering some relief ahead of Halloween and Christmas, though the drop does not undo earlier price rises.
About 1.2 million households bought a pumpkin in the latest four weeks, 10% more than a year earlier.
Shoppers are expected to keep seeking deals until the chancellor sets out plans in the autumn budget.
UK supermarket prices were 2.5% higher than a year earlier in the four weeks to 4 October, up from 2.3% the previous month.
Shoppers spent more than £250m extra on promotions compared with the same period last year.
Worldpanel said special offers were helping shoppers manage grocery costs and afford pricier items and larger packs.
Like-for-like chocolate confectionery prices were 3% lower than a year earlier.
Lidl had the biggest market-share gains over the 12 weeks to 4 October, reaching 8.6%.
- Who
- UK shoppers, with supermarket prices and spending data from Worldpanel by Numerator.
- What
- Grocery price inflation rose to 2.5% as shoppers spent more on promotions.
- When
- In the four weeks to 4 October; the figures were published on 13 October 2026.
- Where
- UK.
- Why
- Shoppers are relying on promotions to manage grocery bills amid cost-of-living and household budget pressures.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Lidl led market-share gains, reaching 8.6% after sales rose by 7.1%.
Supermarket prices were 2.5% higher than a year earlier, and about 1.2 million households bought a pumpkin.
The Guardian and the Independent published reports on the figures.
- Price inflation
- 2.5% year on year in the four weeks to 4 October, up from 2.3%
- Promotional spending
- More than £250m higher than a year earlier
- Chocolate prices
- Like-for-like prices were 3% lower than a year earlier
- Lidl market share
- 8.6% in the 12 weeks to 4 October
- Pumpkin buyers
- About 1.2 million households in the latest four weeks
What people are saying
With the autumn budget fast approaching, the cost of living continues to weigh heavily on the minds of shoppers. And the cost of filling up a car is only adding to the pressure on household budgets.
More than half tell us they’re very or extremely worried about petrol prices, and almost one in three say it’s already taking a real toll on their finances.
Sources
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