A typical shopping basket of 35 regularly purchased food and household items across Europe’s largest grocery markets (EU6) now costs €95.35, almost €5 more than three years ago, according to new analysis from Circana.
The cost of that basket varies significantly across Europe. Germany remains the most affordable market at just €71.20, around €24 less than the EU6 average. At the other end of the scale, the same basket costs €104.43 in France, €100.13 in the UK and €98.58 in the Netherlands, making them the most expensive markets among those analysed.
Although Germany has recorded a 6.5% increase in basket prices over the past three years, it continues to benefit from one of Europe’s most competitive grocery sectors, where strong discount retailers and intense price competition help keep everyday shopping costs well below the European average.
While inflation has eased from its peak, consumers continue to feel the cumulative impact of higher prices at the checkout, with the average shopping basket rising by €4.86 (+5.4%) since April 2023 across the EU6. Against a backdrop of weakening consumer confidence and rising agricultural commodity and energy costs, shoppers remain cautious with their spending, putting continued pressure on retail demand and purchase volumes.
By comparison, UK shoppers have experienced the largest increase in basket costs among the major European markets, with the typical basket rising by €9.07 (+10.0%) since April 2023, compared with the EU6 average increase of €4.86 (+5.4%).
Ananda Roy, SVP Consumer Goods Industry Advisor, Circana, said: “Although inflation has slowed, consumers are still paying significantly more for everyday essentials than they were just a few years ago. As household budgets remain under pressure, shoppers continue to prioritise value by seeking promotions, switching retailers and carefully managing what goes into their baskets.”
Table 1: The average European shopping basket by market
Market | Typical basket (Apr 2026) | Change Apr 2026 vs 2023 |
France | €104.43 | -€0.86 (-0.8%) |
UK | €100.13 | +€9.07 (+10.0%) |
Netherlands | €98.58 | +€4.66 (+5.0%) |
EU6 Average | €95.35 | +€4.86 (+5.4%) |
Spain | €89.86 | +€5.31 (+6.3%) |
Italy | €81.49 | +€4.05 (+5.2%) |
Germany | €71.20 | +€4.34 (+6.5%) |
Source: Circana, Retail Tracking Service, EU6 (FR, UK, NL, SP, IT, DE), 52 WE 26 Apr 2026
Looking ahead, grocery prices are expected to remain under pressure as volatility in energy and agricultural commodity markets continues to drive costs higher.
Ananda Roy continued: “Food inflation is expected to outpace wider inflation during the remainder of 2026, with geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruption weighing on consumer confidence. As a result, shoppers are likely to remain highly value conscious, prioritising essential purchases, seeking promotions and carefully managing household budgets across both food and non-food categories.”
