Inflation went back up last month.

Inflation went back up last month. 3.5%, from 3.1%. Petrol and diesel did most of it.

The number that made me put my coffee down was another one. Manufacturers' input costs up 8.3%, their selling prices up 4.6%.

That gap lands somewhere. Usually on the business in the middle, holding its prices and calling it "staying competitive".

Nobody enjoys sending the price increase email. But your suppliers already sent theirs.

Haven't looked at your prices since spring? Do the sums this week. Then decide.

Spotted in CPA's daily round-up: https://cpa.co.uk/uk-business-news-today-21-october-2026-economy-markets-insolvencies/