Boost for shoppers as price of groceries continues to fall

The cost of a basket of groceries has continued to drop, with shoppers enjoying another month of discounts on popular items, figures show.

A basket of 35 items cost £82.59 in May, down from £86.60 this time last year - setting another lowest price record since the mySupermarket Groceries Tracker began in December 2014.

British shoppers are now 8.5% better off on each weekly shop than they were in December 2014 - a saving of £397.80 over a year, the shopping and comparison website found.

Products including carrots and onions have dropped in price by almost 20% compared with April, while some items were as much as 25% cheaper than a year ago.

Broccoli costs 25.71% less than it did in May last year, onions are 24% cheaper and fresh peppers are down 15%.

The only items to rise more than a few pence compared to this time last year were red pasta sauce, up by just under 4%, kitchen towels and frozen chips (both up just under 3%).

When compared to April this year, however, carrots were almost 20% cheaper, onions 12% cheaper, and crisps and deli bacon and ham have also dropped by more than 3% in price.

However MySupermarket managing director Kim Ludlow warned shoppers to remain vigilant.

She said: "We're noticing a trend in total basket price dropping - yes, that's a fact. However, many products are fluctuating month to month and it's in shoppers' best interests to be across how their favourites are faring.

"Always check before you shop. Whilst you might select a retailer because its broccoli prices are lower than last year, if you look carefully you do notice that they are in fact more expensive than last month.

"It's becoming more and more difficult for shoppers to keep track of discounts and promotions so always compare your basket before you shop."

Ms Ludlow said the ongoing supermarket price war was behind the dropping prices.