Ins and outs of 21st century shopping

FROZEN prawns have replaced tinned salmon. Leg waxing has taken over from hair conditioner, and darts has lost out to football. These are just some of the changes reflected in the Government's annual shake-up of the goods included in a monthly shopping basket used to calculate inflation. They suggest that consumers are adapting their eating and spending habits to satisfy a growing emphasis on diet, leisure and technology.

Foods being jettisoned from the list of 650 items, the cost of which are used to calculate the retail price index, include long-life milk, stock cubes and red potatoes. Loose tea, which has been included since the index began in 1947, has also been dropped.

In their place are processed sliced cheese, reduced-calorie ready meals and frozen vegetarian ready meals. Takeaway savoury pies are also included for the first time. Home entertainment gadgets have undergone a seismic shift. Into the index come DVD players, recordable CDs and disposable cameras. Out go personal stereo radio cassettes, albums on cassette and blank tapes.