Air fryers replace hand sanitiser in UK inflation 'shopping basket'

Hand sanitiser and sofa beds were the most high-profile casualties of the latest rejigging of the ONS "inflation basket", which contains everything from cucumbers and TV licences to compost and tissues, and is used to measure the annual inflation rate.

Post-COVID, demand for hand hygiene gel has fallen, resulting in a reduction in the shelf space devoted to the product and its removal from the basket, the ONS said.

These items, out of the 744 used in its calculations, have made way for groceries and appliances which suggest Britain is becoming more health conscious in its shopping habits. Rice cakes, spray oil, sunflower and pumpkin seeds and packaged salad are all newly-included items, alongside hot kitchen gadget the air fryer.

The ONS cited the fact that spending on cooking items such as air fryers increased by over 30% between 2021 and 2022. Air fryers are also an appliance primed for the energy conscious in a time when cash-strapped households are looking to save on bills, as they consume less energy than a standard oven.

The inflation basket is updated once a year by the ONS to take account of the changing tastes and habits of UK consumers and to ensure the official yardstick of the cost of living is as accurate as possible.

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This year, vinyl records have returned to the basket after a resurgence in popularity. This is not the first time that vinyl has been in the basket of goods, the ONS said. It last appeared in 1992, only to then disappear as CDs and cassettes became more popular.

Last year, two ubiquitous consumer items of the 1990s — alcopops and CDs — dropped out of the basket.

“Often the basket reflects the adoption of new technology, but the return of vinyl records shows how cultural revivals can affect our spending," said Matt Corder, ONS deputy director for prices.

During the pandemic, men's suits were also deemed unnecessary in the ONS calculations as working from home trends set in.

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