British Retail Consortium (BRC) said shop goods prices rose 1.5% YoY in
August—the fastest pace in over two years—while food prices rose 2.8% YoY, both
accelerating from July. The BRC said the increases highlight the start of Middle
East conflict spillovers to supermarket shelves, with energy and other
input-cost rises particularly affecting ambient (shelf-stable) products. BRC CEO
Helen Dickinson said rising bills will further strain household budgets in the
coming months.