Mainstream grocers see 2% price drop on essentials over 12 months

The price of a basket of essential groceries in multiple supermarkets fell last month to its lowest level in more than a year – despite rises on some core deli counter lines – new research has shown.

According to comparison website mySupermarket.co.uk, the cost of a basket of everyday staples fell in January to £85.80­ – down 2% on the same time last year and the cheapest since the site launched its Groceries Tracker 13 months ago.

The tracker, which compares the price of 35 key items across the multiple retailers, found grapes had seen the largest fall, down 9%, followed by bananas, cucumbers and mushrooms, which were around 6% less expensive than a year ago.

However bacon and deli hams saw above average rises of 4%, along with cheddar cheese and eggs at 2%, while fresh peppers and carrots also rose, up 6% and 3% respectively.

Since the same period a year ago, the same basket of groceries has fallen by around £2.33, Kim Ludlow, managing director of mySupermarket.co.uk, said, with more than two thirds costing the same or less than they did a year ago.

The mySupermarket Groceries Tracker includes branded and own brand products, but only regular and ‘value’ ranges – not premium ranges such as Tesco Finest.