Food price inflation has dropped to single digits for the first time in a year and a half, according to the food research and buying habits company Kantar.

Grocery price inflation has fallen below 10% for the first time since July 2022 and now sits at 9.7% for the four weeks to 29 October 2023 report Kantar, adding that "While the drop to 9.7% is positive news and something of a watershed, consumers will still be feeling the pinch."

Prices are only growing more slowly for some limited items, specifically for the price of butter, dried pasta and milk.

According to Kantar, Lidl was again the fastest-growing retailer, with sales over the 12 weeks to 29 October up by 14.7%. Aldi attracted 207,000 more customers than last year, and alongside Waitrose was the only grocer to increase its number of shoppers year on year.

And a bit of good news.

The research company said: " Anyone looking to get into the festive spirit early found a welcome surprise as the average price paid for a standard bottle of sparkling wine fell from £7.46 in August to £6.86 in October, a drop of 8%."