{
  "id": 10578761,
  "title": "UK shop price inflation slows despite costs pressures",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/uk-shop-price-inflation-slows-despite-costs-pressures",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-29T01:32:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/business/economy/2026/09/1543517/uk-shop-price-inflation-slows-despite-costs-pressures"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "London - British retail inflation decreased slightly in September, according to a report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC), despite rising cost pressures caused by the Iran war. The BRC urged the government to provide more support to retailers, who have absorbed numerous additional costs. BRC Chief Executive Helen Dickinson indicated that retailers are reaching a financial limit, with higher business rates set to increase in April and other rising expenses like employment costs, energy bills, and packaging taxes.\n\nFinance Minister John Healey could aid in maintaining lower prices during his October 28 tax and spending plan by assisting retailers with their business rates bills. The BRC survey revealed that annual shop price inflation declined to 1.4% in September from 1.5% in August, although it was slightly above the three-month average of 1.3%. Food price inflation also slowed to 2.5% from 2.8%, as promotions helped lower meat and dairy prices. However, poor European harvests increased fruit prices, while high commodity prices continued to elevate chocolate and confectionery costs. Non-food inflation eased to 0.8% from 0.9%, as strong discounts reduced the expenses of back-to-school essentials. The BRC survey, based on prices collected between September 1 and September 7, showed that Britain's broader consumer price inflation index rose to 3.1% in August and is expected to exceed 4.0% in early 2027 due to the energy price shock caused by the Iran war.",
  "summary": "LONDON: British shop price inflation slowed slightly in September despite rising cost pressures on retailers caused by the Iran war, according to a survey on Tuesday from the British Retail Consortium, which urged the government to do more to help.",
  "key_points": [
    "UK retail inflation slowed to 1.4% in September from 1.5% in August",
    "Cost pressures from Iran war and rising expenses challenge retailers",
    "Finance Minister Healey may support retailers in October tax plan"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The slowing of UK shop price inflation does little to ease retailers' financial strain, with rising costs set to intensify, prompting calls for government support to help keep prices low.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}