Falling inflation under threat in 2024, BRC warns

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has warned that the current trend of falling inflation could be under threat in the New Year in the face of new headwinds such as rising business rates and new regulations. This comes despite Shop Price annual inflation having decelerated further to 4.3% in November, down from 5.2% in October. This is below the three-month average rate of 5.3%. Shop price growth is at its lowest since June 2022. Non-Food inflation also fell to 2.5% in November, down from 3.4% in October. This is below the three-month average rate of 3.5%. Inflation is its lowest since June 2022. Meanwhile, Food inflation decelerated to 7.8% in November, down from 8.8% in October. This is below the three-month average rate of 8.9% and is the seventh consecutive deceleration in the food category. Inflation is its lowest since July 2022. Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “Shop price inflation eased for the sixth month in a row as retailers competed fiercely to bring prices down for customers ahead of Christmas. Food inflation eased, thanks to lower domestic energy prices reducing overall input costs, particularly for dairy products. “Ambient food inflation slowed but remained higher than fresh food due to a larger proportion of goods being imported to the UK and impacted by the weak pound. While health and beauty products saw price cuts as retailers rush to shift stock before Christmas, clothing prices increased as some retailers continued to hold off on promotional activity.” She added: “Retailers are committed to delivering an affordable Christmas for their customers. They face new headwinds in 2024 - from government-imposed increases in business rates bills, to the hidden costs of complying with new regulations. Combining these with the biggest rise to the National Living Wage on record will likely stall or even reverse progress made thus far on bringing down inflation, particularly in food.” Mike Watkins, head of Retailer and Business Insight, NielsenIQ, said: "With the recent slow-down in consumer spending, many non-food retailers will have been reliant on Black Friday to kick starts sales to avoid discounting in December, whereas food retailers will be optimistic that footfall will increase as inflation slows and shoppers get into a festive mood. “Across all retail, this year shoppers will be making savings on everyday essentials to help pay for their family Christmas.”