ONLINE prices of tinned beans, nappies and baby food have increased over a week – but the overall cost of high-demand items has fallen, according to new data published today.
The figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show how prices have continued to fluctuate during the coronavirus crisis.
Here’s how prices of in-demand products have changed over a week
Tinned beans saw the greatest weekly price increase, with the average online cost edging up 0.4 per cent.
This was followed by tinned soups and spray cleaning products, which have increased by 0.3 per cent.
For parents, the price of nappies went up up 0.3 per cent, while baby food saw a 0.2 per cent rise.
But overall, the ONS data shows how the price of high-demand items – such as food, household and hygiene products – has fallen in general by 0.2 per cent.
High demand items include dried pasta, antibacterial wipes and toilet roll.
The ONS data is taken from a number of large online UK retailers, typically supermarkets and other big-name high-street chains.
It’s released on a weekly basis to help consumers understand how prices have fluctuated during the coronavirus outbreak.
The latest figures shows price changes between Week 8 (May 4 to May 10) and Week 9 (May 11 to May 17) .
However, the data doesn’t include items that are out of stock and ONS notes that prices are subject to constant changes.
Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said: “This new data highlighting that essential items, such as tinned beans, tinned soup, cleaning products and nappies, have all seen continued price rises under lockdown is very worrying.
“Even the smallest rise in prices for these sorts of products, is really bad news for those trying to survive on reduced income whilst on furlough, or for those who have sadly lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
“Retailers must try to pass on as many savings as possible to households struggling to feed, clothe and protect their families, as the country battles through Covid-19 together.”
ONS has been tracking changes in household spending following severe panic buyers and stockpilers that cleared supermarket shelves of toilet roll and dried foods in anticipation of a lockdown.
Compared to last month, prices are fluctuating less compared to the start of the pandemic – although these figures were tracked over the month, as opposed to weekly.
Data released on April 16 showed the price of pet food surged by 8.4 per cent over the month, while the cost of pasta sauce had fallen by 4.5 per cent.
Back in March, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) reported a 4.3 per cent drop in sales across the industry as a whole – the worst since records began in 1995.
Businesses have slowly started reopening their doors following the nationwide coronavirus shutdown – including homeware retailers and garden centres.
The hospitality industry has just published guidelines to help pubs and restaurants get up and running again
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