British grocery inflation edges lower in August
Official UK inflation data for July will be published on Wednesday. Britain's food retailers have said that increased employer taxes and regulatory costs as well as higher staff wages have added to the inflationary pressure of rising prices on many commodity markets.
'We've seen a marginal drop in grocery price inflation this month, but we're still well past the point at which price rises really start to bite and consumers are continuing to adapt their behavior to make ends meet,' Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said.
He noted consumer trips during the three months to mid-July to casual and fast service restaurants were 6 percent lower than a year ago. But as consumers made savings outside the home, they sought treats in store. Sales of branded grocery items were up 6.1 percent over the four weeks, while sales of own-label alternatives were up 4.1 percent. Among the fastest price rises were for chocolate, fresh meat and coffee and the fastest falls were in champagne and sparkling wine, dog food and sugar confectionery, Worldpanel said.
Trade body the British Retail Consortium, which represents Britain's biggest retailers, has predicted food inflation will hit 6 percent by the end of the year, putting more pressure on household budgets in the run-up to Christmas. The Bank of England has forecast it will hit 5.5 percent before Christmas and then recede as it anticipates falls on commodity markets.
Worldpanel said UK grocery sales grew 4.0 percent over the four-week period year-on-year, indicating sales volumes were down after inflation was taken into account. Discounter Lidl and online supermarket Ocado were Britain's fastest growing grocers over the 12 weeks to August 10, with sales up 10.7 percent. Sales at industry leader Tesco rose 7.4 percent, with its market share up 0.8 percentage points over the year to 28.4 percent. However, number three player Asda struggled with sales down 2.6 percent and a 0.9 percentage points loss of market share year-on-year. — Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Kuwait Times
British grocery inflation edges lower in August
LONDON: British grocery inflation nudged down to 5.0 percent over the four weeks to August 10, data from market researcher Worldpanel by Numerator showed on Tuesday, providing limited relief for consumers. The figure, the most up-to-date snapshot of UK food inflation, compares to 5.2 percent in last month's report. Official UK inflation data for July will be published on Wednesday. Britain's food retailers have said that increased employer taxes and regulatory costs as well as higher staff wages have added to the inflationary pressure of rising prices on many commodity markets. 'We've seen a marginal drop in grocery price inflation this month, but we're still well past the point at which price rises really start to bite and consumers are continuing to adapt their behavior to make ends meet,' Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said. He noted consumer trips during the three months to mid-July to casual and fast service restaurants were 6 percent lower than a year ago. But as consumers made savings outside the home, they sought treats in store. Sales of branded grocery items were up 6.1 percent over the four weeks, while sales of own-label alternatives were up 4.1 percent. Among the fastest price rises were for chocolate, fresh meat and coffee and the fastest falls were in champagne and sparkling wine, dog food and sugar confectionery, Worldpanel said. Trade body the British Retail Consortium, which represents Britain's biggest retailers, has predicted food inflation will hit 6 percent by the end of the year, putting more pressure on household budgets in the run-up to Christmas. The Bank of England has forecast it will hit 5.5 percent before Christmas and then recede as it anticipates falls on commodity markets. Worldpanel said UK grocery sales grew 4.0 percent over the four-week period year-on-year, indicating sales volumes were down after inflation was taken into account. Discounter Lidl and online supermarket Ocado were Britain's fastest growing grocers over the 12 weeks to August 10, with sales up 10.7 percent. Sales at industry leader Tesco rose 7.4 percent, with its market share up 0.8 percentage points over the year to 28.4 percent. However, number three player Asda struggled with sales down 2.6 percent and a 0.9 percentage points loss of market share year-on-year. — Reuters
Kuwait Times
6 days ago
- Kuwait Times
Liverpool ‘agree deal' for Parma prospect Leoni
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed on Thursday that a deal to sign 18-year-old center-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma has been agreed between the clubs. According to reports, the Premier League champions will pay £26 million ($35 million) for the highly-rated prospect, who has played just 17 Serie A games for Parma. Liverpool have already splashed out £260 million on the signings of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to build from a position of strength after romping to a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title last season. However, the departure of Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen had left Slot with just three center-backs to choose from. One of those, Joe Gomez has missed most of pre-season due to injury, while doubts remain over the future of Ibrahima Konate, who has just one year left on his contract at Anfield. 'The clubs have agreed a deal but he hasn't signed for us yet. The moment when he signs for us I can go into more detail,' said Slot at a press conference ahead of Liverpool's Premier League opener against Bournemouth on Friday. Despite Leoni's arrival, Liverpool could add more center-back cover before the end of the transfer window with reports linking them with a move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. Liverpool have not won back-to-back league titles since 1984 and Slot expects it be an even tougher challenge to defend their crown given the turnover in his squad. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Caoimhin Kelleher have also departed, while the club is still coming to terms with the tragic loss of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash last month. 'The main reason that is so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league, 'added Slot. 'This year will be even harder than before. 'We have lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it's normal there is adaptation.' The fee to bring Wirtz to England from Leverkusen could rise to a British transfer record £116 million. Slot, though, believes the German international has the mentality to cope with the pressure of that price tag. 'When you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else,' added the Dutch coach. 'Good players always find a way to play well in good teams. He has to adjust to England, the league and the intensity, and his team-mates. His adjustment has already gone quite well, more than we expected.' — AFP
Kuwait Times
10-08-2025
- Kuwait Times
Tale of love, passion behind Mexico's ‘boundary-pushing' Quintonil
Behind the growing international success of a Mexican restaurant named one of world's best is a love story between two gourmets with a passion for blending traditional and contemporary flavors. Quintonil, which opened in 2012 in the upscale Mexico City neighborhood of Polanco, already boasted two Michelin stars. Now it is also ranked number three by the Michelin Guide's British rival, 'The World's 50 Best Restaurants,' which praised its 'boundary-pushing' cuisine. 'Focused on fresh, local ingredients and traditional Mexican flavors and techniques weaved into modern preparations, it is fast becoming a classic,' it said. Named after an aromatic plant from the southern state of Oaxaca, Quintonil stands behind only Maido in Lima and Asador Etxebarri in Spain in the list. At the reception, Alejandra Flores -- one half of the charismatic couple behind Quintonil -- gives a taste of the hospitality and kindness for which Mexicans are known. 'I truly believe in the saying, 'He who does not live to serve does not serve to live,'' she said. Service 'must be a dance' or even an 'embrace,' added Flores, who studied hospitality management in Switzerland. Intimate, not ostentatious In the two small dining rooms, next to a counter seating area that opens onto the kitchen, around a dozen tables receive customers from around the world. It is in this setting -- more intimate than ostentatious -- that Quintonil has gradually gained global recognition, much like Mexico City, which is attracting an increasing number of visitors from the United States and Europe. Understated, like his restaurant, head chef Jorge Vallejo used to work on cruise ships before returning to Mexico City where he joined another renowned restaurant, Pujol. Chefs work in the kitchen at Quintonil restaurant in Mexico City. Head Chef Jorge Vallejo poses for a photo at Quintonil restaurant in Mexico City.--AFP photos A chef prepares ribeye steak cuts at Quintonil restaurant. A chef slices a fish in the kitchen at Quintonil restaurant. Chefs work in the kitchen at Quintonil restaurant. It was there that he met Flores, his wife. Located a few streets away, Pujol has long been the benchmark for new Mexican gastronomy. In 2022, 'The World's 50 Best Restaurants' ranked chef Enrique Olvera's establishment fifth, while Quintonil was in ninth place. The student has since overtaken his teacher, but feels a debt of gratitude: Pujol's elevation of Mexican cuisine to another level has inspired others, Vallejo said. 'Twenty years ago, people knew very little about what Mexican gastronomy really is as we know it today,' he added. Today, more foreigners are familiar with a diverse cuisine that ranges from street tacos to fine dining, in both cases using local products such as corn and tomatoes. 'Close to my heart' Quintonil combines seasonal ingredients -- in July it was asparagus, carrots, and mushrooms -- with traditional Mexican staples, such as mole, a sauce made with spices and cocoa. 'Right now, a dish that's close to my heart is vegetable mole. We prepare it with asparagus,' enthused Vallejo, happy that his discovery allows for a lighter sauce. Quintonil's ingredients are '98 percent Mexican,' including the wines. The exceptions are caviar, one type of fish, and olive oil, said Vallejo, who favors local sources. 'I have a good friend whose family grows white beans' in the northwestern state of Sinaloa, he said. Quintonil has mastered the art of blending traditional Mexican flavors with contemporary cuisine, according to the '50 Best' list, citing the example of 'tamales of duck pibil with elote cream,' a corn-based sauce. The award has been decided since 2002 by more than a thousand 'culinary experts,' including chefs, specialist journalists and restaurant owners. While French chefs question its legitimacy, accusing it of opacity, in the case of Quintonil the verdict seems unanimous. According to the Michelin Guide, Quintonil's tasting menu is 'constantly evolving' with 'delights such as crab and shards of blue corn tostada arranged with a vivid pipian verde enhanced with untraditional elements like galangal, lemongrass, and makrut lime.' Quintonil's cuisine 'is an enticing melding of excellent local product, impressive execution, and great creativity to produce refined compositions,' it said.—AFP
