Cost of Christmas Dinner Rises 6.5% in UK

The average cost of a Christmas dinner for four in the UK has risen to £32.57, marking a 6.5% increase largely due to the price hikes in turkey and staple vegetables such as potatoes, which surged by 16.3%. Overall grocery price inflation rose to 2.6% in November, up from 2.3% the previous month, causing concerns about potential interest rate cuts by the Bank of England. Sales at supermarkets grew by 2.5% as consumers prepared for the holiday season, with significant spending on discounted items, driven by loyalty schemes. Tesco and Sainsbury's reported increases in market share and sales, highlighting a competitive retail environment. Despite the rising costs, many shoppers are expected to indulge in Christmas specials, as the busiest shopping day is projected for December 23. However, some retailers are responding to inflation pressures with promotions to keep festive spending manageable for consumers.