Festive staples drop in price

Fierce competition in the run-up to Christmas has led to grocery price inflation falling to 1.9%, meaning that the staple food items for this time of year are costing less than 12 months ago.

The 1.9% figure — which covers the 12 weeks to the end of the first week of December — compares to a level of 2.6% for the preceding three months.

In its latest set of data for the high street grocery sector, consumer insights agency Kantar Worldpanel noted that competition among the leading players has tightened as the festive season approaches.