Houmous, zero beers, croissants and DOG GROOMING are added to ‘basket’ of fashionable items used to measure UK inflation

Houmous, zero beers, croissants and dog grooming have been added to the ‘basket’ of goods used to measure UK inflation.

The annual update gives an insight into the shopping habits of Brits – with statisticians saying spending on healthier lifestyles and pets is getting more emphasis.    

The ‘virtual basket’ contains over 750 items selected to represent what typical consumers spend money on.

The Office for National Statistics said some £170million a year was now being splurged on houmous, leading to its addition.

Meanwhile, non-alcoholic beer is being included for the first time, as well as dashboard cameras for cars. 

The ONS said the latter was becoming more common with consumers more concerned about ‘increased security both around the home and on the roads, as well as helping to lower insurance premiums’.

Motor homes – which had previously not been covered by the caravans category – have also been added to the roster.

The growing trend for pampering pets has been recognised with grooming being added. 

Croissants have been put into the list to ‘improve representation of price movements for breakfast items’.

ONS Deputy Director for Prices Stephen Burgess said: ‘Our basket of goods update sees some fascinating changes every year, offering valuable insight into consumers’ latest shopping habits.

‘This year, healthier lifestyle choices influence consumer spending, reflected by goods such as houmous and non-alcoholic beer, while motor homes wheel into the basket, and increased demand for pet grooming is reflected.

‘All this comes on top of the imminent introduction of supermarket scanner data – a step change in our long-term improvement of UK economic statistics – which will cover over half the market, reducing the need to rely on a fixed basket of groceries.’