Overall shop prices reported deflation of 1.8% in September from a 1.9% decline in September. On a 12-month average basis, the Shop Price Index reported deflation of 1.7%. Non-food deflation decelerated to 2.7% from 2.9% in September.
BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson says: “From a big picture perspective, retailers will be considering the implications of the recent government announcements – implementing the National Living Wage, the apprenticeship levy and the increasing cost of business rates requires retailers to find over £14b of efficiency improvements over the next 5 years. In a competitive, deflationary environment where jobs and growth in communities up and down the country are vital, the industry’s ability to play its part in investing in the Living Wage is being hindered by the business rates system. The Chancellor needs to reduce the disproportionate burden of business rates on the retail industry and keep going with the structural review because this is the key to delivering the core of the Government’s reform programme.
“From the customer point of view, people will be happy that October was the 30th month of shop price deflation at 1.8 per cent, with the trend likely to continue. Both non-food and food products saw drops, falling 2.7% and 0.4% respectively. Consumer confidence slowed but as we approach the busiest time of the year for the industry retailers will try to boost confidence by continuing to offer great value to customers as they pass on savings and price competitively. Retailers will be planning diligently in the run up to the busy Black Friday and Christmas shopping periods with consumers likely to enjoy even greater bargains.”
Mike Watkins, head of retailer and business insight at Nielsen, says: “With the all-important Christmas trading season arriving soon, non-food retailers will need to maintain these lower prices to drive footfall and supermarkets will be working hard to get sales growing again, as intense price competition is having a deflationary impact on the overall shopping basket. Levels of retail spend are going to be hard to predict over the next few weeks but we can anticipate strong media campaigns and probably more promotional activity, so all round its good news for shoppers.“
