Meat and dairy promotions helped bring food prices down slightly in September 2026, offering a little relief for supermarket shoppers. But food remains more expensive than a year earlier, so it is still worth comparing offers with what you normally buy.
The latest BRC and NIQ shop-price report found that food prices fell by 0.2% compared with August. They were still 2.5% higher than in September 2025.
The report was published on 29 September 2026 and used prices collected from 1 to 7 September.
What became cheaper
Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said promotions helped lower meat and dairy prices.
Fruit prices rose, however. She said poor harvests across Europe pushed up fruit prices, while high global ingredient costs kept chocolate and confectionery expensive.
That means the saving you notice will depend on what goes into your basket. The report does not show that every product or every supermarket became cheaper.
How much difference does the fall make
The monthly fall was small.
For example, a 0.2% reduction on an illustrative £60 food shop would save just 12p, bringing it to £59.88. That shows the size of the change; it is not a forecast for your own shopping bill.
The yearly comparison tells a different part of the story. Food prices were 2.5% higher than a year earlier, although that increase had eased from 2.8% in August.
So prices can dip from one month to the next while still being higher than they were a year ago. That helps explain why a small fall may not feel like much relief at the checkout.
How to make an offer work for your budget
Start with food you already planned to buy. An offer helps if it lowers that cost and you can use what you buy.
Check the price per 100g, kilogram or litre, comparing the same unit for each pack.
For example, a 500g pack costing £3 works out at 60p per 100g. A 750g pack costing £4 is about 53p per 100g.
These are example prices. The larger pack is cheaper for the amount you get, but it only makes sense if you can afford it and will use it all.
Compare discounted branded food with the usual own-brand version too. The own-brand option may still cost less.
For member-only offers, the Competition and Markets Authority’s 2024 review found that loyalty prices generally offered genuine savings at the same supermarket, but were not always the cheapest prices elsewhere.
Our guide to supermarket loyalty prices and what the CMA found explains that distinction.
Check what your household actually spends
Compare a few regular purchases with an older receipt, keeping the brand and pack size the same. That will help you see whether your usual food has become cheaper.
Build meals around worthwhile offers where it suits your week, but avoid buying extras simply because they are reduced.
The survey covers prices collected early in September. Check the offers available when you shop rather than assuming the same discounts are still running.
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