Retail price index up by 0.04% in December 2012

In December, the Retail Price Index went up by 0.04 per cent. This primarily reflected an increase of 2.20 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to seasonally higher priced garments. Costlier gas prices brought about an increase of 0.47 per cent in the Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index. A rise of 0.42 per cent was recorded in the Beverages and Tobacco Index, mainly due to an upward movement in the price of cigarettes.

The Food Index went up by 0.27 per cent, on account of higher prices of vegetables. Costlier travel articles was the main reason behind an increase of 0.21 per cent in the Other Goods and Services Index. Higher prices of household textiles and tableware underlay a rise of 0.17 per cent in the Household Equipment and House Maintenance Cost Index. An increase of 0.15 per cent was recorded in the Personal Care and Health Index due to higher prices of skincare preparations.

The Housing Index edged up by 0.05 per cent primarily as a result of higher prices of materials for the maintenance and repair of the dwelling.

The Transport and Communication Index declined by 1.06 per cent on account of cheaper communication services. Lower prices of computers caused the Recreation and Culture Index to decrease by 0.11 per cent.

In December, the twelve-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 2.42 per cent, whereas the annual rate was 2.79 per cent.