Inflation in UK stores fell to the lowest level in more than 18 months in another sign that the cost-of-living crisis is starting to ease. Shop prices were 2.9% higher year-on-year in January compared with a 4.3% annual increase in December, the British Retail Consortium said Tuesday. That’s the lowest since May 2022 as retailers offered heavy discounts to attract shoppers. The data is encouraging after a surprise from the Office for National Statistics earlier this month showing UK inflation had picked up unexpectedly for the first time in 10 months. Investors have priced in a rapid series of rate cuts starting in ... (full story)