Finance
UK shop prices fall for first time since March, retailers say
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on October 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
Global Banking and Finance Review
Company
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on October 28, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 21, 2026
UK shop prices fell by 0.3% in October, marking the first decline since March, driven by a significant drop in food prices, according to the British Retail Consortium.
LONDON (Reuters) -British retailers cut their prices in October, led by the biggest drop for food in almost five years, industry figures showed, offering a bit of relief to households before Halloween as well as the Bank of England and the government.
Overall shop prices fell by 0.3% from September, the first month-on-month drop since March, the British Retail Consortium said on Tuesday.
A monthly 0.4% drop in food prices was the biggest such fall since December 2020, the BRC said.
Compared with October last year, overall shop prices were 1.0% higher after a 1.4% rise in September, the first time that the annual pace of increases has slowed since June.
Annual food price inflation was also cooler at 3.7% compared with October last year, down from 4.2% in September, although fresh food prices continued to accelerate.
The BoE is watching food prices closely as it believes they have a big role in shaping public inflation expectations. Last week, official data showed Britain's headline inflation rate held at 3.8%, the highest since early 2024 but below forecasts of an increase to 4.0%.
BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson highlighted fierce competition amongst retailers, widespread discounting and an easing of global sugar prices which helped to bring down prices of chocolate and confectionary ahead of Halloween.
Some retailers started promotions for electrical goods and beauty products before the Black Friday sales that typically fall in November, Dickinson said.
She called on finance minister Rachel Reeves not to increase the cost burden on the sector in her budget on November 26.
"Adding further taxes on retail businesses would inevitably keep inflation higher for longer," Dickinson said.
Reeves has said she will use her budget to bring down the cost of living.
(Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Muvija M)
Inflation is the rate at which the general level of prices for goods and services rises, eroding purchasing power. It is typically measured annually.
Retail trade involves the sale of goods and services directly to consumers. It encompasses various sectors, including food, clothing, and electronics.
Food prices refer to the cost of purchasing food items. They can fluctuate based on supply, demand, and economic conditions.
Consumer perception is how individuals view and interpret products, brands, or services. It influences purchasing decisions and market trends.
The UK economy refers to the economic system of the United Kingdom, characterized by a diverse range of industries, trade, and financial services.
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