Grocery inflation is running at 16.4% according to the latest ONS figures out this week for October, up from 14.6% in September. But not this week’s Grocer 33 pricing survey, where there were signs retailers are doing their best to keep a lid on inflation.
The year-on-year inflation figure was 13.1%, and inflation on the basket was flat versus this time last month. That’s not to say inflation isn’t significant: 31 items were more expensive versus November 2021, with 14 at least 20% dearer.
The biggest riser was the Crisp ‘n Dry rapeseed oil – a whopping 78% more expensive. Similarly the semi-skimmed milk was 44% more expensive and the Mr Kipling cherry bakewells were up 40%.
The two products cheaper than a year ago were the Venus shave gel (see right) and Pringles, down 11% and 3%.
Asda, which last week posted its strongest quarterly performance for two years, offered the lowest-priced basket for the 14th time in the current Grocer 33 year. At £59.21 it was £1.59 cheaper than Sainsbury’s. Asda offered the lowest price for 18 products, eight exclusively so, including the balsamic vinegar, rapeseed oil, San Pellegrino lemon and smoked haddock fillets.
Sainsbury’s was cheapest for 10 lines and exclusively so for the green olives, spaghetti carbonara and Twister mini lollies.
Tesco was £3.10 more expensive than Asda based on shelf-edge prices. However the gap would been 62p after factoring in its Clubcard Prices initiative.
Morrisons came in £3.79 more expensive, while guest retailer Ocado was £8.82 more expensive (though it was exclusively cheapest for baby plum tomatoes, Mr Kipling cherry bakewells and spring onions).
Waitrose only matched the lowest price of one item – the Pringles – as it came in £18.78 more expensive than Asda.
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