‘Picky bits’ on the menu as British shoppers snap up picnic food in heatwave

Spending rose on foods such as potato salad, olives and ‘finger foods’, Worldpanel by Numerator said. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Guardian

Shopping baskets took on a decidedly summery complexion during last month’s heatwaves as consumers filled up on a British picnic staple: picky bits, and grocery inflation slowed.

Spending rose on foods such as potato salad, olives and coleslaw, while ice-cream sales also increased, according to new data from Worldpanel by Numerator, a market research company.