UK household spending: food and non-alcoholic drinks
UK household spending: food and non-alcoholic drinks stood at £41,321m in Q2 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Household spending and saving table (Value · Quarterly), with a complete series running from Q1 1985 to Q2 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Household spending and saving table
| Indicator | Q2-2026 | Q1-2026 | Q4-2025 | Q3-2025 | Q2-2025 | Q1-2025 | Q4-2024 | Q3-2024 | Q2-2024 | Q1-2024 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Household final consumption expenditure | |||||||||||
| Food and non-alcoholic beverages | 41,321 | 41,037 | 40,707 | 40,497 | 39,961 | 39,195 | 38,606 | 38,292 | 35,443 | 35,379 | |
| Alcoholic beverages and tobacco | 11,558 | 11,564 | 11,737 | 11,721 | 11,818 | 11,975 | 11,799 | 11,695 | 12,743 | 12,607 |
Understanding UK household spending: food and non-alcoholic drinks
Household final consumption expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages tracks total monetary outlays made by resident households throughout the United Kingdom for grocery items intended for home preparation and consumption. This classification encompasses unprocessed agricultural commodities, baked goods, dairy products, non-alcoholic cordials, and pantry staples, while explicitly excluding catering services, restaurant meals, and alcoholic drinks purchased for immediate on-premise or off-premise enjoyment. It forms a distinct division within the broader Classification of Individual Consumption by Purpose framework, separating domestic grocery purchases from hospitality and leisure spending.
Reading this series requires accounting for regular seasonal surges linked to holiday periods, alongside price inflation that can distort nominal expenditure figures over time. Analysts comparing these figures against retail sales volumes must account for the exclusion of hospitality outlets and tobacco products, ensuring that any cross-measure comparisons align accurately regarding product scope and taxation adjustments.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this expenditure series include meals eaten in restaurants?
- No, catering services and ready-to-eat meals purchased outside the home belong to a separate hospitality and dining classification.
- Are alcoholic beverages included in this food spending measure?
- Alcoholic drinks are recorded under a distinct category and remain excluded from this specific grocery consumption total.
- How do price fluctuations affect this expenditure data?
- Changes in grocery price inflation alter nominal spending values independently of the physical volume of items purchased.