Britons Under Lockdown Push Up Cost of Games, Whisky, Takeaways

(Bloomberg) --

Children’s activities, pizza deliveries and whisky are among the items that became more expensive in April, giving a snapshot of the spending patterns of Britons under lockdown.

Consumer prices as a whole fell 0.2% from March, taking inflation to the weakest level since 2016 as energy prices fell and government orders to avoid workplaces and shutter non-essential businesses put the brakes on economic activity.

Even so, prices for computer game consoles, software and craft kits all rose as enforced time at home prompted families to seek out new activities and find ways to work better.

The price of spirits and tobacco climbed, as did takeout food, with pizza deliveries and takeaway burgers rising 7.3% and 4.6%, respectively, the Office for National Statistics said Wednesday.

While food costs in general fell, longer life products, like frozen fish and jars of sauce, became pricier, alongside vegetables. That may reflect a desire to avoid the shops and a switch to domestically grown produce due to foreign supply disruptions.

The gains were not enough to offset the drag on inflation from electricity and gas, auto fuel and clothing. With Britons no longer traveling, there was also widespread discounting of luggage, along with luxury personal items such as jewelry, including earrings, gold rings, diamond rings and men’s watches.

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