Retail price index drops slightly in October

In November, the Retail Price Index went down by 0.16 per cent. This primarily reflected a decrease of 2.49 per cent in the Transport and Communication Index, mainly due to lower airfares.

Seasonally higher priced garments caused the Clothing and Footwear Index to go up by 1.46 per cent. The Food Index increased by 1.19 per cent, mainly on account of an upward movement in the price of fruit and vegetables. An increase of 0.30 per cent was registered in the Recreation and Culture Index, due to higher prices of computers.

Higher fees for medical and dental services underlay an increase of 0.21 per cent in the Personal Care and Health Index. A rise of 0.17 per cent was registered in the Beverages and Tobacco Index due to higher prices of wine. Price rises of textiles caused the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index to edge up by 0.11 per cent.

In November, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.36 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 3.05 per cent.