The Office for National Statistics in the UK has announced that gin and non-dairy milk have become part of the average 'basket of goods' used to calculate inflation.
The agency said that it has reintroduced the grain alcohol due to its increased popularity among consumers. The spirit hasn't been part of the 'basket' for 13 years.
Children's scooters and bicycle helmets (returning after a 12-year absence) are also now included in inflationary calculations, due to recent victories of British athletes in such cycling events as the Tour de France.
Basic mobile phones were removed because of decreased expenditure in favour of smart phones.
The chief executive of industry representative body of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, Miles Beale, said of the inclusion of gin, "It comes as no surprise to us that gin has become a regular feature on the UK shopping list and made it into the ONS typical basket.
"Last year gin sales both home and abroad smashed all records. We broke the £1 billion mark for the first time for sales in the UK and sold more British gin overseas than ever before, worth almost half a billion pounds."
British shoppers will have to pay more for the spirit this year, however; the 2017 budget announcement included an increase in beer, wine and spirit duties to address increasing inflation.
© 2017 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Karen Henderson. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
