In a response to rocketing food inflation and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, Tesco has announced a new price lock on over a thousand everyday products.

The initiative comes as it was reported today that annual food inflation had leapt to 13.3% in December, up from 12.4% in November, according to the latest monthly figures from trade body the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and the data firm Nielsen.

Another report also released today, from Kantar, set the figure at 14.4%, down slightly from 14.6% in November, but still “a painfully high figure at the current rate, impacting how and what we buy at the shops”, according to the retail and consumer insights firm.

Tesco’s latest price lock follows last year’s similar commitment, which saw prices frozen from 5 October until the start of 2023.

‘Times are tough for customers’

The supermarket said that prices have been locked on branded products as well as its own-brand staples. Products include a can of Heinz Baked Beans at 65p, Tesco own-brand teabags at £1 and Johnson’s Baby Shampoo at £1.45.

Tesco UK chief executive, Jason Tarry, said: “As we start the New Year, we know times are tough for many of our customers right now.

“We hope this extended price lock commitment gives our customers the certainty of knowing that over a thousand household favourites and own brand essentials will stay at the same low price for months to come – helping them budget when they need it most.”

The move follows another money-saving promotion by Tesco over Christmas, which saw it bring back its Kids Eat Free scheme in 312 cafés across the UK. The scheme is ongoing until 6 January 2023.