UK RPI basket weight: food and catering
UK RPI basket weight: food and catering stood at 145 parts per 1000 in 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Consumer price index weights table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1974 to 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer price index weights table
| Indicator | 2026 | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPI basket, all items | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | |
| RPI: food and catering | 145 | 145 | 142 | 140 | 146 | 157 | 153 | 150 | 152 | 150 | |
| RPI: alcohol and tobacco | 75 | 78 | 90 | 91 | 77 | 75 | 84 | 82 | 79 | 81 |
Understanding UK RPI basket weight: food and catering
Nutritional products, non-alcoholic beverages, catering services, and dining out expenses comprise this specialised expenditure share within the legacy retail price framework across the United Kingdom. This grouping combines grocery shopping with restaurant and canteen meals under a unified heading, differing from modern international classifications that separate retail food from hospitality services. Alcoholic drinks are excluded and measured separately.
Seasonal harvest fluctuations and global commodity price shifts regularly influence underlying food costs, though the proportionate weight is updated annually. Long-term analysis must recognise that combining home food and catering creates a hybrid trend that cannot be directly mapped to disaggregated modern indices. Revisions reflect shifts in household grocery purchasing habits and dining frequency.
Frequently asked questions
- Are alcoholic beverages included in this food and catering category?
- No, alcohol is measured in a separate dedicated category alongside tobacco.
- Why does this grouping combine groceries and restaurant meals?
- The legacy classification structure aggregates all food and catering services into a single heading.
- How frequently is this expenditure proportion adjusted?
- The weighting proportion is revised annually using updated household survey data.