Cheaper clothes and television services pushed the retail price index down by 0.39 per cent last month when compared to May, the National Statistics Office said yesterday.

The clothing and footwear index dropped by 2.66 per cent, due to clothes being seasonally less expensive, while the recreation and culture index fell by 1.19 per cent as TV services fees became cheaper.

Other drops were registered in the food index, down 0.8 per cent, due to cheaper fruit and potatoes, and in the household equipment and maintenance cost index, which saw 0.13 percentage points being knocked off its May standing due to cheaper household appliances.

Small rises were registered in the other goods and services index, up 0.21 per cent due to some jewellery items becoming more expensive, and the transport and communication index, which increased by 0.18 per cent due to higher airline ticket prices.

Medical services cost slightly more in June than they did the month before, meaning the personal care and health index went up by 0.14 per cent.

The retail price index stood at 101.21 points, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation at 0.74 per cent and the annual rate at 1.39 per cent.