29 March 2007
The monthly BRC/Nielsen Shop Price Index (SPI) is changing.
To give a more detailed measure of shop price inflation we have increased the number of prices collected and, for the first time, will provide separate annual inflation figures for London and Scotland, as well as the whole UK.
The increased sample size will also allow us to produce sector indices for the UK SPI, providing an inflation measure for clothing, furniture, DIY and Hardware, Electricals and other commonly bought non-food items.
As a result of these enhancements to the sample size, it will not be comparable to the previous SPI. The index has also been re-based.
Data from the expanded sample has been collected since December 2005. With more than 12 months of data for the new index, we are now able to provide an annual inflation rate for the new indices. This means that we can provide separate annual inflation rates for Scotland and London and the UK non-food categories, which until now have only offered a month-on-month comparison.
The next BRC/Nielsen SPI's will be the first using the new sample. They cover March 2007 and will be released on Wednesday 4 April at 10.30am for immediate use.
The old Shop Price Index will cease.
