Measures spark shop price drops

Shop prices have plunged as post-Christmas sales and shop closures have caused retailers to discount stock heavily, according to new figures.

The British Retail Consortium-NielsenShopPrice Index for January has revealed that prices slid by 2.2%. Non-food prices slid by 3.6% in January, compared with a 3.2% fall in the previous month.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive, of the British Retail Consortium, said: "The January blues may have been slightly eased for many consumers thanks tofallingpricesthismonth.

"Post-Christmas sales and the lockdown drove non-food prices down - especially for clothing and DIY goods."

Ms Dickinson said food prices also rose at their slowest for four years as supermarkets compete to offer the best value.