UK shop price inflation rose by 1.2% year-on-year in May 2026, up from 1.0% in April—which had been the weakest increase in four months—and slightly above market expectations of 1.1%. The pickup was largely driven by a rebound in non-food prices, amid growing cost pressures from higher shipping and raw material expenses linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
Non-food prices increased by 0.5% compared with a year earlier, reversing a 0.1% decline in April, with the rise mainly reflecting higher costs for furniture and beauty products. By contrast, food inflation continued to ease, falling to 2.7% in May from 3.1% in April, its lowest rate in a year, which helped moderate the overall increase in shop prices.
“Households did benefit from food inflation falling to its lowest level in a year, as intense competition among supermarkets continued to deliver value and savings,” said Helen Dickinson.
