UK grocery inflation 9.7 in 4 weeks to Oct 29
Prices falling in butter, dried pasta and milk
Grocery sales up 7.4 yearonyear in same period

LONDON, Nov 7 Reuters British grocery inflation has fallen below 10 for the first time since July 2022, industry data showed on Tuesday, providing some relief for consumers as they enter the key Christmas shopping period.

Market researcher Kantar said annual grocery inflation was 9.7 in the four weeks to Oct. 29, down from 11 in last month39;s report.

While the drop … is positive news and something of a watershed, consumers will still be feeling the pinch, Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said.

Were only seeing year on year price falls in a limited number of major categories including butter, dried pasta and milk.

Prices are rising fastest in markets such as eggs, sugar confectionery and frozen potato products.

The Kantar data provides the most uptodate snapshot of UK grocery inflation.

The most recent official data showed annual food inflation was 12.1 in September, though prices did fall on the month for the first time in two years.

All of the country39;s major supermarket groups have cut the prices of some essential products in recent months.

Last week, Sainsbury39;s said it had spent 118 million pounds 146 million since March in keeping prices down.

Food inflation39;s recent downward trajectory is being closely watched by consumers, the Bank of England as it considers interest rates,…