LONDON (ShareCast) - (Sharecast News) - Grocery inflation fell to a year-low in April, industry data showed on Tuesday, despite the spike in global energy prices following the outbreak of war in the Middle East.
According to Worldpanel by Numerator, like-for-like grocery inflation in the four weeks to 19 April fell to 3.8%, from 4.3% a month previously, as retailers cut prices and focused on promotions. It was the lowest rate since April 2025.

Prices rose fastest in medicines and treatments, and in fresh unprocessed meat and fish, and fell the fastest in chilled butters and spreads and sugar confectionery.

Worldpanel said the impact of the Iran war had not yet filtered through to supermarket shelves in the UK. However, shoppers were increasingly looking for deals during the period. Spending on promoted items jumped 7.8% while spending on full-price goods eased 0.2%.

Overall take-home grocery sales were 0.9% higher.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said: "Concerns about the impact of the Middle East conflict on prices of everyday goods are front of mind for British households. Already feeling the squeeze at the petrol pump, shoppers are responding by turning to special offers in growing numbers when buying groceries."

Among individual grocers, Lidl reach a fresh market share high of 8.4%, after sales in the 12 weeks to 19 April grew by 8.8%.

Online-only Ocado showed similarly strong growth, with sales jumping 11.3%. The blue chip has a market share of 2.2%.

Market-leaders Tesco and J Sainsbury also saw sales grow over the period. At Tesco - the UK's largest supermarket by some distance, with a market share of 28.1% - sales rose 4.3%, while Sainsbury's recorded a 4.5% uplift. Sainsbury's has a market share of 15.5%.

In contrast, sales fell 2.4% at Asda and 2.2% at Co-op.

Sales at Marks & Spencer - which is not included in the main total till roll data, due to its higher mix of clothing and general merchandising - were 7.3% stronger year-on-year, Worldpanel noted.

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