Clothing and footwear prices fall in April as retailers “ramped up promotions”

Shop price inflation eased to 0.8% in April, down from 1.3% in March and below the three-month average rate of 1.4%, as clothing and footwear retailers encouraged consumers to spend with promotional activity.

Shop price annual growth is at its lowest since December 2021, with non-food prices entering deflation at -0.6% in April, down from 0.2% in March.

The prices of many non-food goods are now cheaper than they were a year ago, according to the latest data from BRC-Nielsen IQ.

Helen Dickinson, Chief Executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: "One year on from the peak, shop price inflation levels are showing signs of normalising, providing relief to households.

"Both food and non-food have seen shop inflation rates ease to more manageable levels. In April, non-food prices fell, especially in clothing and footwear, where retailers ramped up promotions to encourage consumer spend.

"While consumers will welcome the lower shop price inflation, geopolitical tensions and the knock-on impact on commodity prices, like oil, pose a threat to future price stability.

"Retailers will continue to do all they can to keep prices down, but Government has a role to play with pro-growth policies that allow businesses to invest in the customer offer."