UK's Retail Prices Set to Ease in 1H

1255 GMT - U.K.'s retail sales in February rose 5.2% on year amid higher prices, with record-high food inflation at around 15%, Shore Capital analyst Clive Black says in a note citing a report by the British Retail Consortium and KPMG. While inflation is likely to dominate the retail sector in 2023, consumer prices are expected to ease in the first half, and fall back more materially in the second half, with mix and volumes rising by the end of the year, he says. Meanwhile, U.K. government policy regarding energy costs will be key in the second quarter, while food inflation could remain sticky, Black adds. (michael.susin@wsj.com)

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03-07-23 0928ET