Retailers say tax rises could further fuel inflation as shop prices jump

BRC says households are finding shopping increasingly expensive after annual shop price inflation rises to 1.4%

Retailers have told the government that tax rises could further fuel inflation as the pace of shop price rises stepped up in September with increases on home improvement and gardening goods offsetting stabilising food prices.

Annual shop price inflation rose to 1.4% in September, up from 0.9% in August, according to the latest monthly report from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and analysts NIQ.