Slight drop in RPI due to summer sales

The Retail Price Index went down by 0.14 per cent last month, primarily reflecting a decrease of 9.57 per cent in the clothing and footwear index, mainly due to a seasonal drop in the price of garments.

The National Statistics Office said the household equipment and house maintenance cost index saw a downward movement of 0.98 per cent, mainly due to lower-priced household textiles.

A fall in the prices of travel-related accessories caused the other goods and services index to go down by 0.5 per cent.

A reduction in the prices of served beverages resulted in a drop of 0.09 per cent in the beverages and tobacco index.

Lower prices for medicines brought about a dip of 0.06 per cent in the personal health and care index.

A rise in the price of gas added 1.82 per cent to the water, electricity, gas and fuel index.

The food index went up by 1.03 per cent, mainly on account of higher prices of fruit.

Higher airfares caused the transport and communication index to increase by 0.95 per cent.

The recreation and culture index registered an increase of 0.56 per cent, mainly on account of higher prices for the hire of wedding reception venues.

An increase of 0.45 per cent was registered in the housing index, mainly due to higher prices for construction works.

In July, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.76 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 1.63 per cent.