Cheaper clothes and footwear, which saw prices dropping by 9.57 per cent, pushed the retail price index in July down by 0.14 per cent over the previous month.

The 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.76 per cent last month when the annual rate was 1.63 per cent.

The National Statistics Office said the retail price index in July stood at 101.07 compared to 101.21 in June.

Household equipment and house maintenance costs fell by 0.98 per cent due to cheaper household textiles.

A fall in the price of travel-related accessories saw the “other” goods and services index drop by 0.5 per cent and marginally cheaper served drinks pushed the beverages and tobacco index down by 0.09 per cent.

Another marginal dip, of 0.06 per cent, was registered in the personal health and care index. This was due to lower medicine prices.

In contrast, the recent gas price hike pushed the water, electricity, gas and fuel index up by 1.82 per cent.

Higher fruit prices caused a 1.03 per cent increase in the food index and 0.95 per cent increase in the transport and communication index was due to higher airfares.

Wedding reception venues became more expensive last month, the primary reason for the recreation and culture index rising by 0.56 per cent.

The price of construction works also rose, pushing the housing index up by 0.45 per cent.