Grocery price inflation drops thanks to popularity of ‘picky bits’

• UK grocery price inflation fell to 2.1 per cent in the four weeks to 9 August, reaching its lowest level in nearly two years.
• Average household grocery spending dropped to £410 over the period, with 31.3 per cent of purchases involving discount promotional deals.
• Repeated heatwaves significantly influenced consumer buying habits, driving up sales of chilled picnic foods, ice cream, frozen fruit and sun cream.
• Ocado recorded the fastest sales growth in the sector at 13.1 per cent, while Sainsbury’s was the strongest performer among the major chains with a 3.5 per cent rise.
• Discount retailer Lidl secured the largest increase in market share, growing to 8.8 per cent following an 8.5 per cent jump in sales.

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