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Shop price inflation has hit a two-year high and is set to climb through the autumn as a surge in energy and commodity costs filters through to consumers, a top business group has found.
The British Retail Consortium (BRC), which represents major supermarkets and high street shops across the UK, warned that shop price inflation increased to 1.5 per cent in the year to August.
The higher rate of price rises compares to a rise of 0.9 per cent in the year to July and a three-month average of 1.2 per cent.
Shop price inflation was at the highest level in over two years, putting a bigger dent in people’s pockets as they hit high streets for final summer purchases.
Food price inflation rose to 2.8 per cent from 2.2 per cent in last month’s reading. Food price inflation had been on a downward trend over most of 2026, though the latest jump could reflect trends in the UK economy that prices are set to rise higher as the year draws to a close.
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the BRC, said the impact of higher energy prices and commodity costs was “beginning to filter through into prices”.
“The months ahead look challenging for households, with rising bills putting further pressure on budgets,” Dickinson said.
“Retailers are facing persistently high operating costs, limiting their ability to absorb further increases without impacting investment, jobs and prices.”
She said costs could be tempered if the government addresses the cost of business by reducing red tape and tackling the “growing burden of business rates”.
Economists believe inflation could peak at around the turn of the year, provided that hostilities in the Middle East subside and the Strait of Hormuz re-opens for shipments carrying critical oil and gas supplies.
On Sunday, the US and Iran traded strikes for the first time in weeks, raising concern that trading flows will remain blocked for some time longer.
In the case the Strait remains closed to ships, the Bank of England predicted that inflation could top four per cent. It could also hike interest rates in such a scenario, adding to borrowing costs for households.
CityAM.com is the online presence of City A.M., London's first free daily business newspaper. Both platforms cover financial and business news as well as sport and…
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