UK shoppers spent an average of £476 at supermarkets in December, a £15 increase from the previous year, as grocery inflation eased. According to market research firm Worldpanel by Numerator, grocery prices were 4.3% higher than a year earlier, down from November's 4.7%. This modest relief allowed households to spend more, with take-home grocery sales reaching a record £13.8 billion, up 3.8% year on year.
The highest spending was in fresh meat, with sales of £115 million, and chilled snacks such as finger food, dips, and antipasti, with sales of £80 million. Additionally, 92% of shoppers bought premium own-label products, with sales exceeding £1 billion for the first time. However, spending on promotions and deals also rose, accounting for 33.3% of overall sales, the highest proportion since December 2019.
Despite some price increases, such as seasonal chocolate tubs rising above £5 for the first time, sales of these items rose by 19% in the four weeks to Christmas, with nearly one million more shoppers buying them.