Responding to the latest CPI inflation figures which shows headline inflation falling to 8.7% and food inflation falling to 19.0%, Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said:

“Consumers will welcome the fall in headline inflation, and while food inflation figures remain high, we are starting to see the price of some essentials begin to come down, including milk and butter, as lower commodity and energy prices begin to filter through. Clothing and Footwear price inflation also eased for the second month in a row as retailers introduced their Spring discounts. However, even as inflation eases consumers should not expect prices to return to their 2021 levels.

“With food inflation looking like it may be peaking, government should avoid creating unnecessary new regulatory burdens that might put this at risk. From new packaging costs and a deposit return scheme, to new Windsor framework labelling and food advertising regulations, the Government would do well to minimise the cost-impact of new policy initiatives.”