Black Friday arrived earlier than normal in the UK this year
Black Friday deals began earlier than normal as competition between retailers hit a fever pitch, data from the British Retail Consortium shows.
“Savvy shoppers picked up some great deals across health & beauty, electricals and fashion. While food price inflation remains elevated, widespread promotions meant price rises eased over the month, especially in dairy, fruit, breads, and cereals,” said Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the BRC.
“Inflation remained stubbornly high for oils and fats, and meat and fish, as climbing input costs passed through from producers. With Budget uncertainty behind us, retailers are hoping that consumer confidence rebounds in this crucial trading period and they will continue doing everything they can to keep prices down and help customers’ money go further this Christmas.”
Dickinson noted that headwinds in the new year include rising employment costs which are likely to filter through to prices. This could shake already weak consumer confidence and present further challenges for consumers in the year ahead.
Inflation data
Data from the BRC shows:
- Shop price inflation decreased to 0.6% year on year in November, against growth of 1% in October. This is below the three-month average of 1%.
- Non-Food inflation decreased to -0.6% year on year in November, against a decline of -0.4% in October. This is below the three-month average of -0.3%.
- Food inflation decreased to 3% year on year in November, against growth of 3.7% in October. This is below the three-month average of 3.7%.
- Fresh Food inflation decreased to 3.6% year on year in November, against growth of 4.3% in October. This is below the three-month average of 4.0%.
- Ambient Food inflation decreased to 2.4% year on year in November, against growth of 2.9% in October. This is below the three-month average of 3.2%.
