The UK’s consumer prices index (CPI) annual inflation rate has remained unchanged at 6.7% in September 2023, according to data released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The annual rate for food and non-alcoholic beverages declined to 12.2% from 13.6% in August.

ONS data also revealed that CPI for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products increased to 11.2% in September from 10.5% in August.

CPI of the clothing and footwear sector dropped slightly to 6.9% in September 2023, compared to 7.0% in the prior month.

The data also revealed that the annual inflation rate for furniture and household equipment declined to 3.7% in September from 5.1% in August.

The annual inflation rate for restaurants and hotels increased to 8.6% over the month against 8.3% in the previous month.

In response to ONS data, British Retail Consortium (BRC) chief executive Helen Dickinson said: “While headline inflation remained at 6.7%, inflation rates in retail, such as food, furniture and clothing, all eased. This reflects the fierce competition between retailers, their investment in cutting costs and the fall in the price of some global commodities.

“These factors helped shoppers welcome the first fall in food prices in two years, as September prices dropped below those in August. Some of the biggest price cuts were seen on items such as cheese, margarine, pasta and chocolate. This will be particularly welcome at a time when households face rising heating costs as winter sets in.”

Recently, data from the BRC-KPMG Retail Sales Monitor showed that total retail sales in the UK grew by 2.7% in September 2023.