29 March 2024, 15:05
By Furniture News Jan 05, 2018

December discounts spur shop price slide, says BRC

December saw shop prices retreat further into deflationary territory, with non-food items down -2.1% YoY, according to the latest Shop Price Index from BRC-Nielsen.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson comments: “After several months of shop prices teetering on the edge of inflation, December saw them retreat deeper into deflationary territory. Prices in December fell at the fastest rate since March this year when only last month we saw the shallowest rate of deflation for four years.

“This is good news for shoppers. Retailers offered lower prices at the beginning of December than last year on many of their non-food ranges, providing welcome options for Christmas shoppers on a stretched budget. These discounts allowed consumers some much needed breathing room during the festive period at a time when the cost of their food shop is on the rise.

“Food inflation picked up pace this month, fueled by climbing global food prices earlier in the year. While retailers will continue to do their best to absorb cost increases for their customers, the challenges to the industry remain stark, with more inflationary pressures in the pipeline.

“Therefore, this year we will continue to press the Government for clarity on the principles and terms around the Brexit transitional arrangements, to ensure businesses have the certainty to plan and invest and that consumers don’t face higher costs or delays from tariffs or onerous customs barriers.”

Mike Watkins, Nielsen's head of retailer and business insight, adds: “The SPI inflation rate is below other inflationary measures, showing there is little inflationary pressure coming from retailers. With consumer confidence wavering and unpredictable levels of demand, many non-food retailers have been keeping prices low to stimulate spending, which will undoubtedly have come at a cost to margins."

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