A retail lobby group warns that food prices in the UK are expected to increase significantly in the latter half of 2025, primarily due to higher wages and National Insurance tax changes. The British Retail Consortium forecasts food price inflation will rise from 1.8% to 4.2%, affecting staples like vegetable oil, orange juice, butter, and coffee. Retailers are already feeling the impact, with Next announcing price hikes to cover increased wage costs. The government, however, claims food inflation has significantly decreased under its administration.