Early Black Friday discounting helps slow food and non-food price growth

Shop price inflation fell to 0.6% in November, down from 1.0% in October, as retailers launched Black Friday discounting earlier than usual.

Non-food prices declined by 0.6% year on year, compared with a fall of 0.4% in October. Food inflation eased to 3.0%, from 3.7% a month earlier. Fresh food rose 3.6%, down from 4.3%, while ambient food increased 2.4%, compared with 2.9% in October.

Month-on-month, overall shop prices edged down 0.1% in November. Food prices fell 0.3% on the month, while non-food was unchanged.

Chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “Black Friday deals began earlier than normal as competition between retailers hit fever pitch.Savvy shoppers picked up some great deals across health and beauty, electricals and fashion. While food price inflation remains elevated, widespread promotions meant price rises eased over the month, especially in dairy, fruit, breads and cereals.

“Inflation remained stubbornly high for oils and fats, and meat and fish, as climbing input costs passed through from producers. With Budget uncertainty behind us, retailers are hoping that consumer confidence rebounds in this crucial trading period and they will continue doing everything they can to keep prices down and help customers’ money go further this Christmas.”

She added that higher employment costs could feed into prices in early 2026. “Headwinds in the new year include rising employment costs which are likely to filter through to prices. This could shake already weak consumer confidence and present further challenges for consumers in the year ahead.”

Head of retailer and business insight Mike Watkins added: “It’s good news for shoppers that price increases are slowing but inflationary pressures still remain, in particular within food.

“The UK retail market is very competitive so retailers will need to keep any price increases as low as possible in the run up to Christmas, in order to entice shoppers to spend.”