UK CPIH index: non-alcoholic beverages
UK CPIH index: non-alcoholic beverages stood at 151.9 in Aug 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Consumer price inflation table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 1988 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Consumer price inflation table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPIH index by group | |||||||||||
| Non-alcoholic beverages | 151.9 | 150.3 | 150.2 | 149.9 | 150.5 | 150.2 | 149 | 148.7 | 148.1 | 148.7 | |
| Alcoholic beverages | 123.3 | 122.5 | 122.3 | 122.1 | 122.7 | 123.1 | 123.2 | 125 | 122.9 | 124 |
Understanding UK CPIH index: non-alcoholic beverages
Tracking the twelve-month retail price trajectory for non-alcoholic beverages across the United Kingdom, this index covers coffee, tea, cocoa, mineral waters, soft drinks, and fruit juices purchased for home consumption. It explicitly excludes alcoholic drinks and hot beverages consumed in restaurants or cafes, which are categorised under hospitality services. The basket reflects both branded and store-brand purchases, capturing shifts in consumer substitution between premium and budget beverage options.
Prices in this category are sensitive to global agricultural commodity markets, currency fluctuations affecting imported coffee and cocoa, and domestic sugar tax adjustments. Promotional discounting by major supermarkets introduces short-term volatility, making the twelve-month rate a more reliable gauge of underlying inflation than month-on-month comparisons. Analysts should note that packaging shrinkflation is periodically accounted for through quality adjustments in the underlying price collection.
Frequently asked questions
- Are hot drinks purchased in cafes included in this index?
- No, beverages consumed on hospitality premises are classified under catering services.
- What drives price volatility in the non-alcoholic beverages category?
- Fluctuations in global commodity prices for coffee, tea, and sugar heavily influence the index.
- How are multi-buy promotions handled in the beverage data?
- The index reflects transaction prices actually paid by shoppers, incorporating temporary promotional discounts.