Retail executives are calling on the Labour Party to take measures to ease financial pressures on retailers, as shop price inflation has risen to 1.2% in May, up from 1% in April. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has indicated that the increase is largely due to rising costs associated with non-food items, particularly furniture and beauty products, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Meanwhile, food price inflation has decreased to 2.7%, down from 3.1% in April. Retail leaders argue that they are doing their utmost to keep prices manageable for consumers, but are facing significant challenges from increased energy costs and government-imposed wage hikes. BRC chief Helen Dickinson has urged Labour to cut non-commodity charges and taxes that contribute to energy bills, asserting that without government action, inflation could escalate further. The proposal from Labour to impose price caps on essential goods has met with criticism from industry leaders, including Marks & Spencer's CEO Stuart Machin, who deemed it impractical.