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UK supermarkets are undergoing a major change that could see price hikes on many everyday items and increase the cost of consumer's baskets based on when and where they shop.

Electronic shelf labels (ESL), that can enable real-time price changes, are reportedly being rolled out across many stores.

Morrisons, Co-op and Asda are among the supermarkets who will be installing the technology.

The news come after a fresh wave of analysis from the Bank of England, with shoppers left concerned as the cost of staple items could fluctuate based on the time of day, footfall or demand.

Dynamic pricing is used everyday across many stores, but this new rollout of ESLs makes such more obvious to shoppers.

It is understood that Tesco and Sainsburys are also in a trial phase of the ESLs.

Once the rollout is complete, Morrisons will have 10.8 million individual ESLs across its estate.

Gordon Macpherson, Morrisons group productivity director said: "As digital innovation reshapes the digital landscape we're constantly evaluating new technology that can help us serve customers better.

"We're excited to be the first large supermarket group in the UK to introduce digital shelf edge labelling across our entire supermarket estate and look forward to rolling out the technology in 2026."

The technology will allow for workers to spend less time changing labels across shops and focus on helping shoppers and replenishing shelves.

However, despite the benefits there are large concerns that the change will see prices hike rapidly, especially in the current uncertain climate.

The Middle East conflict is causing inflation in many area, with energy hugely impacted, but households are beginning to see the impact elsewhere.

According to the Office for National Statistics the annual rate of Consumer Prices Index (CPI) inflation sat at 3.3 per cent in March, an increase from February.

In supermarkets, this can be seen as food and drink price inflation also accelerated, driven by monthly increases in the price of products such as chocolate, coffee and fresh fish.

As temporary ceasefires are underway and peace negotiations hope to resume, prices continue to fluctuate, and ESLs will be able to immediately rectify prices based on what is happening across the world.

According to Food and Drink Technology, people are prepped for prices to rise, however the idea that increases can now hit the shelves instantly, without giving households a chance to budget accordingly, is creating concern.