Promotions and deals on products at Britain's supermarkets have played a part in another monthly drop in grocery price inflation, according to new figures.
Grocery price inflation was down to 14.9 per cent in the four weeks to July 9, down from 16.5 per cent over the previous month, according to analysts Kantar.
It is the fourth month in a row that inflation has fallen from its peak of 17.5 per cent in March. The wider CPI inflation for the UK was 8.7 per cent in May and new figures for June are out in the next week.
Looking for loyalty
"This will be good news for many households although, of course, the rate is still incredibly high," said Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar.
"One of the biggest shifts we've seen in this area is retailers ramping up loyalty card deals like Tesco's Clubcard Prices and Sainsbury's Nectar Prices.
"This could signal a change in focus by the grocers who had been concentrating their efforts on everyday low pricing, particularly by offering more value own-label lines.
"The boost to promotional spending has contributed to bringing inflation down but this isn't all that's driving the change.
"Prices were rising quickly last summer so this latest slowdown is partially down to current figures being compared with those higher rates one year ago."
Theoretically, consumers would have spent an extra £683 on groceries this year when compared to last year's prices on the same goods, when inflation is taken into account.
But Kantar found that, in reality, the real figure is much lower, because of increased customer savvy leading to changed buying patterns.
"It's clear that shoppers have dramatically changed their behaviour to combat inflation, whether by trading down to cheaper products or visiting different grocers," Mr McKevitt said.
"The average annual increase to household spending over the past 12 months has actually been £330 - well below the hypothetical £683."
Summer sales
Some small summer luxuries did not fall by the wayside though. The Wimbledon tennis tournament boosted spending on strawberries and fresh cream, which rose by 16 per cent and 13 per cent respectively compared with last year.
Meanwhile, the pleasant weather in June saw sales volumes of barbecue items increase – sales of chilled burgers were 7 per cent higher.
At the same time, sales of hay fever remedies grew by 16 per cent over the past month as for many people this year turned out to be particular bad for those with seasonal allergies.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
RESULTS
6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby
7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko
7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor
20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill
8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara
9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
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SQUAD
Ali Khaseif, Fahad Al Dhanhani, Adel Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Shamsi, Bandar Al Ahbabi, Mohammed Barghash, Salem Rashid, Khalifa Al Hammadi, Shaheen Abdulrahman, Hassan Al Mahrami, Walid Abbas, Mahmoud Khamis, Yousef Jaber, Saeed Ahmed, Majed Sorour, Majed Hassan, Ali Salmeen, Abdullah Ramadan, Khalil Al Hammadi, Fabio De Lima, Khalfan Mubarak, Tahnoun Al Zaabi, Ali Saleh, Caio Canedo, Muhammed Jumah, Ali Mabkhout, Sebastian Tagliabue, Zayed Al Ameri
Afro%20salons
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Inside%20Out%202
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Schedule:
Pakistan v Sri Lanka:
28 Sep-2 Oct, 1st Test, Abu Dhabi
6-10 Oct, 2nd Test (day-night), Dubai
13 Oct, 1st ODI, Dubai
16 Oct, 2nd ODI, Abu Dhabi
18 Oct, 3rd ODI, Abu Dhabi
20 Oct, 4th ODI, Sharjah
23 Oct, 5th ODI, Sharjah
26 Oct, 1st T20I, Abu Dhabi
27 Oct, 2nd T20I, Abu Dhabi
29 Oct, 3rd T20I, Lahore
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
The Baghdad Clock
Shahad Al Rawi, Oneworld
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