While the numbers beat expectations, they also painted a grim picture of the sticker shock that consumers face at the grocery store and when they open their electricity bills.

While the numbers beat expectations, they also painted a grim picture of the sticker shock that consumers face at the grocery store and when they open their electricity bills.

December figures show that consumer prices rose by 2.7% over 12 months, the same as in November. However, food and energy inflation (excluding gasoline) – the most sensitive costs…