Clothing pushes retail price index up 0.17%

In May, the Retail Price Index went up to 101.61 from 101.44 in April 2010. The increase, 0.17%, primarily reflected an increase of 2.06% in the clothing and footwear Index, mainly due to seasonal price rises in garments.

The Other Goods and Services Index registered a rise of 0.78%, mainly on account of various higher-priced jewellery items. An upward movement of 0.41% in the transport and communication Index was due to increased fuel prices. The personal care and health index went up by 0.06%, mainly due to higher prices of medicines and certain cosmetics.

Lower prices of fruit and poultry contributed to a fall of 0.46% in the food index. The recreation and culture index dropped by 0.16% on account of lower-priced computers, while cheaper beverages brought about a 0.08% decrease in the beverages and tobacco index.

In May, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.85%, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.35%.