For the 12 weeks to April 17, supermarket sales fell 5.9% year on year and 0.6% on a two-year basis, as the period now includes the first lockdown when only essential stores were allowed to open. 

Like-for-like grocery inflation for the period also grew, hitting 5.9% in April – its highest level since December 2011, according to the latest Kantar grocery market share data. 

Kantar head of retail and consumer insight Fraser McKevitt said: “The average household will now be exposed to a potential price increase of £271 per year. A lot of this is going on non-discretionary, everyday essentials, which will prove difficult to cut back on as budgets are squeezed. We’re seeing a clear flight to value as shoppers watch their pennies.”