Full Breakdown
UK Supermarket Prices Jump as Inflation Re-accelerates in June
7/17/2026, 9:36:02 PM
Rising Supermarket Price Inflation in June 2024
Research by consumer-advocacy website Which? shows supermarket inflation rose to 2.6 % in June, up from 2.4 % in May. The increase follows a 2.8 % rate in May after a March peak of 3.3 %, driven by higher fuel costs linked to the U.S.–Iran war that began in February.
Data Highlights and Product Price Surges
- Fish: prices are 11.1 % higher than a year earlier, the fastest rise among food items.
- Energy drinks, chocolate, water, fresh fruit: up 5.5 %, 3.8 %, 3.6 %, and 3.4 % respectively.
- Asda own-brand cheddar slices (10-pack) jumped 113 %, from £0.65 to £1.39.
- Shloer Zero White Grape (750 ml) rose 95 %, from £1.42 to £2.77.
- Sainsbury’s pork pies (own-brand) increased 92 %.
- Morrisons Kettle crisps (40 g) rose 70 %.
- Tesco breaded haddock fillets (350 g) climbed 54 %.
Supply Chain Pressures Linked to the U.S.–Iran Conflict
The war has constrained the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly 20 % of global oil and gas shipments. Disruptions have lifted oil prices, raising fuel and energy costs that feed into food production and distribution. Analysts note that energy costs remain a “big component of the cost of food,” amplifying pressure on fresh-food supply chains as the summer progresses.
Retailer Responses
Supermarket leaders acknowledge the upward pressure but differ in tone. Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts warned that “consumer sentiment is not strong” and that uncertainty over the Middle-East conflict could affect the economy. Tesco’s spokesperson emphasized a commitment to low weekly shop costs, disputing Which?’s calculations. Asda highlighted its “lowest prices of any traditional supermarket” based on independent surveys.
Verbatim Quotes
- “retail expert, said: “After months of easing grocery inflation, this month's increase is a reminder that pressure on household budgets hasn't disappeared.” — Reena Sewraz, Which? retail expert
- “consumer sentiment is not strong with a good deal of uncertainty on how things will shape up for them and there was a lot of uncertainty still in terms of exactly how the impact of the conflict in the Middle East will impact the economy and consumers” — Simon Roberts, Sainsbury’s chief executive
- “We are committed to keeping the cost of the weekly shop as low as possible. We do not recognise these figures, and Which? has not shared its calculations with us. Customers can be confident in the great value that they will find at Tesco, week-in, week-out.” — Tesco spokesperson
- “Asda offers the lowest prices of any traditional supermarket on the products families buy most, from everyday essentials to the big brands they know and love, with independent surveys by Which? and The Grocer consistently showing that.” — Asda spokesperson
