According to new figures, the cost of a typical Christmas turkey dinner has risen by 3.4% as inflation pushes up food prices, Press Association has reported.

The cost of a typical Christmas turkey dinner has risen by 3.4% as rocketing inflation pushes up food prices, according to new figures.

Kantar said the average cost of a Christmas meal for four, with a frozen turkey and all the trimmings, is now £27.48.

The figures reported show that grocery inflation as a whole has risen 3.2% year on year in the four weeks to November 28. This is the highest rate since June last year.

But the data suggests people in Britain are not yet lowering their spending for the festive season. Figures show that sales of supermarket premium own-label ranges, such as Tesco Finest and Asda Extra Special are the fastest growing ranges in stores.

Times and Star: Christmas dinner prices set to rise (Canva)Christmas dinner prices set to rise (Canva)

Kantar said overall, supermarket sales dropped 3.8% to £29.6 billion over the 12 weeks to November 28 compared with a year earlier, when the second coronavirus lockdown restrictions boosted grocery trade.

The average shop size has also shrunk by 8% versus last year as people have been able to return to offices and with restaurants and cafes open, the data revealed.

However, grocery spending was still stronger than pre-pandemic levels, up 7% over the quarter compared with the same period in 2019.

Fraser McKevitt, head of retail and consumer insight at Kantar, said: “As we count down on our advent calendars to the big day, it’s clear that shoppers want to have some fun and make this Christmas extra special.

“Price inflation doesn’t seem to be denting their desire to treat themselves and loved ones.”

He added that consumer behaviour “hasn’t caught up” with rising food price inflation.

“Habits we’d expect to see shift, like swapping branded products for own label or seeking out promotions, haven’t altered just yet,” he said.

The report also showed online grocery sales falling, down 12.5% in the four weeks to November 28 against a year ago during the second lockdown.

But McKevitt said this may start to rise once more amid fears over the new Omicron variant sweeping across the UK, which could see some shoppers switch back to online shopping and shun stores.

“Our excitement about Christmas this year has been slightly tempered as news of the Omicron Covid-19 variant has emerged,” he said.