Overview
- Food & Drink Federation chief Karen Betts says seasonal items are being chosen within the usual basket spend rather than added on, reversing typical pre-Christmas patterns.
- Recent data highlighted elevated food costs this year, with food prices reported up 4.5% year on year in the latest figures cited in coverage.
- The FDF points to higher national insurance, business rates and new packaging-waste rules as key cost drivers feeding through to shelf prices.
- The Treasury says cutting bills is a Budget priority, notes falling food inflation, and argues a recent EU deal should help lower costs and support exports.
- Leaders of nine major supermarkets have urged the Chancellor to exclude shops from a proposed business-rates surtax from 2026, while industry warns only two to three weeks of prime festive trading remain.