Grocery prices were 2.6 per cent higher in October than a year earlier, up from an annual increase of 2.5 per cent the previous month, according to Worldpanel by Numerator.
Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said: “While prices are rising at a slower rate than at the beginning of the year, the direction of travel has changed.”
Household budgets were already under pressure after the latest energy price cap increase arrived alongside colder weather in October, Mr McKevitt warned. Shoppers would be watching prices at the tills closely this winter, he added.
Sales of essential supplies rose following the launch of the Government’s Be Ready campaign on October 22.
The campaign encouraged households to have enough supplies for up to three days of disruption to essential services.
In the following 10 days, hand sanitiser sales jumped by 83 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.