Furniture prices decreased slightly in February, while carpets rose and overall inflation remained unchanged.
According to the latest Office for National for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.0% in the 12 months to February 2026, unchanged from the 12 months to January. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.4% in February 2026, the same rate as in February 2025.
Clothing made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates; motor fuels made the largest, offsetting, downward contribution.
For furniture, furnishings and carpets, the combined figure saw prices fall -0.3% in February, from its rise of 0.1% the previous month, while compared to last year, prices were down from its rise 0.1%. Sectors within the category are detailed below.
Furniture and furnishing prices fell by -0.9%, compared to a decline of -0.3% the previous month, while down from a 0.9% increase compared to the same month last year.
Garden furniture prices fell by -9%, compared to a decline of -8.4% on last month, and from a decline of -11.5% compared to last year.
Carpets and other floorcoverings prices increased by 1.8%, compared to a rise of 1.1% the previous month, while up from a decline of -1.7% last year.
Other household textile prices, including furnishings fabrics, curtains and bedding, saw prices fall by -0.7%, compared to its fall of -0.2% the previous month, and from a rise of 1% on last year.
Commenting on the latest inflation figures, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “February’s inflation figures have, for the first time, included supermarket scanner data, replacing many of our physically collected prices, marking a significant improvement in our measurement and understanding of changing prices.
“After last month’s slowdown, annual inflation was unchanged in February as various price movements offset each other. The largest upwards driver was the price of clothing, which rose this month but fell a year ago. This was offset by falls in petrol costs, with prices collected before the start of the conflict in the Middle East and subsequent rise in crude oil prices.
“A fall in the cost of alcoholic drinks due to promotional activity, compared with a rise last year, was also a downward driver, while little change in food prices, again compared with a small rise this time last year, added further downward pressure.”
