Grocery price inflation rose to 4.3% in February after four consecutive months of falls in a blow for households, figures show. The increase from January’s 4% came as shoppers held off on Valentine’s Day spending until the last minute, with almost 12% of households picking up a premium meal deal on Friday night alone, according to market research firm Worldpanel by Numerator.

Sales of pre-made pancake mixes were up 114% week on week, leading up to Shrove Tuesday, but those making their own batter paid 42p or almost 6% more than last year, as the cost of key ingredients reached £7.77. Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Worldpanel, said: “Looking ahead to Easter, shoppers will notice that chocolate prices remain high, up 9.3% year on year.

“While this is still a significant rise, the pace of inflation in the category is beginning to ease and is now at its lowest level since September 2025.”

Shoppers increasingly chose to do their grocery shopping online, with internet sales up 9.7% year on year.

More than 18 million orders were placed over the four weeks, taking the channel’s share to 13%, the highest level since July 2021.

Mr McKevitt added: “More affluent families in London and the south east of England are still the most likely to shop for groceries online. However, the channel’s appeal is broadening, with shoppers from a wider range of economic backgrounds increasingly drawn to its convenience.”

Ocado was once again the fastest-growing grocer over the 12 weeks to February 22, a position it has maintained since September 2025.

Lidl recorded double-digit sales growth for the 12th consecutive period, up this time by 10%.

Tesco saw sales grow by 4.5% to reach a market share of 28.5%, while Sainsbury’s increased its market share to 16.1% as sales rose by 5.2% over the 12 weeks.

Sales at Waitrose achieved its highest rate of growth at 5.6% since March 2021 to reach a market share of 4.8%.

Asda once again saw its sales dip year-on-year, this time by 2.6%, while Co-op’s sales were down 1.6% on last February.

The figures will put pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who will address the Commons today with her Spring Statement, in which she plans to assert that the UK has a “stronger and more secure” economy.

Ms Reeves will set out the need to ensure “stability in public finances”, as the world becomes “yet more uncertain”, with the situation in the Middle East escalating.

However, the Government has pledged to restrict itself to one fiscal event per year, which means this afternoon’s speech is unlikely to contain any new tax or spending policies.