 Mr McKevitt went on: 'Nine in 10 of this group say higher food and drink prices are a major concern, second only to energy bills, so it's clear just how much grocery inflation is hitting people's wallets and adding to their domestic worries.' Many families in the grip of the cost of living crisis as changing their shopping habits to save money. Sales of supermarket own-label products jumped by 10.3% over the latest four weeks. Demand for cheapest value ranges soared 42%. Some consumers found light relief at Halloween. Just over one in 10 households bought a pumpkin in October, although sales were down compared with last year. Meanwhile, fewer people are stocking the cupboards for Christmas, preferring to wait until later in the year. Mr McKevitt said: 'This time last year two million consumers had already bought their festive Christmas pudding. 'We've seen 32% fewer shoppers){kind=link}
Figures out today from number crunchers Kantar revealed grocery price inflation reached 14.7 per cent last month, with food bills to skyrocket if shoppers continue to buy the same products
Food shopping bills will rocket by more than £680 on average over the next year as prices hit a new record high.
Figures out today from number crunchers Kantar revealed grocery price inflation reached 14.7 per cent last month.
It is more than double the 6% average wages are rising by, and almost seven times the rate for public sector workers.
Fraser McKevitt, Kantar’s head of retail and consumer insight, warned it was too early to say if prices had peaked.