Why the envelope is now a write-off
SHOWS like The Great British Bake Off have put cake tins and roasting trays into the basket of goods used to calculate inflation, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Envelopes, washing powder and hi-fis, however, have been knocked off the list which is used to measure rises and falls in the cost of everyday items.
The trend for home artificial intelligence such as Amazon Echo’s Alexa saw smart speakers included for the first time.
Phil Gooding, ONS senior statistician, said the switches reflect changing lifestyles.
He said: “This year there are changes relating to technology, the home and how we contact one another. The smart speakers is one example of a relatively new product entering the basket.
“The addition of bakeware is, on the other hand, a nod to the resurgence of an item that has seen its appeal renewed.”
Rising sales were put down to the success of cooking shows, Bake Off in particular.
Viewing figures are down since its move to Channel 4, but 14.8 million tuned in to BBC One for the 2016 final.
But the traditional pairing of tea and cake could also be changing as more Britons opt for herbal brews. Flavoured tea has been added to the basket, along with popcorn and peanut butter.
Meanwhile cola drinks have been split into regular and sugar-free versions to measure the impact of the Sugar Tax.
In the home, crockery sets have been replaced by dinner plates to reflect the trend for buying dining items separately.
Similarly, the three-piece non-leather suite has been supplanted by a single settee.
Electric toothbrushes and baseball caps are other new entrants, while dog treats take the place of dry food.The ONS said 16 items have been added this year, 10 removed and 16 modified, with 688 unchanged.