Groceries are becoming more expensive, with a typical shopping trolley of goods costing 3% to 4% more than a year ago, according to market research group GfK in the AD.

The cost of meat, salads and bread has gone up the most – with increases of up to 9% – while beer, pet food and a bunch of flowers are also more expensive than in 2020, GfK said.

Sweets and biscuits have not been affected, however, and personal care products have become cheaper.

The price rises are partly due to inflation of 1.9% and partly due to the impact of the pandemic, spokesman Norman Buysse told Radio 1 news.  In particular, he said, more people have taken a pet since the lockdown started and demand for more expensive pet food has risen.

At the same time, the home working trend has lowered demand for personal care items like deodorant or shampoo, he said. This in turn, he said, has led to lower prices.