UK shop price inflation slowed in April as retailers used heavy discounting to encourage cautious shoppers back into stores.
Prices rose by 1% year on year, down from 1.2% in March and below the three-month average of 1.1%, according to the British Retail Consortium’s monthly survey with NielsenIQ.
Discounts were most visible across clothing, furniture and DIY goods. Non-food prices fell by 0.1% year on year in April, compared with a 0.1% rise in March.
Food inflation also eased, falling from 3.4% in March to 3.1% in April. Fresh food price rises slowed more sharply, from 4.4% to 3.9%, helped by Easter promotions on items such as chocolate.
The figures come as households become more careful with spending. UK inflation rose to 3.3% in March, up from 3% in February, while consumer confidence fell in April to its lowest level since October 2023.
Retailers are also under pressure. The CBI said sales volumes were well below seasonal norms in April and are expected to remain weak in May. A net balance of 68% of retailers reported falling sales volumes, the weakest reading since the survey began in 1983.
The BRC urged the Government to help limit shop price inflation by tackling non-commodity energy charges, which make up around half of the average UK business energy bill.
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