The Retail Price Index fell by a marginal 0.37 per cent in July mainly because of a 7.63 per cent drop in prices for clothing and footwear.

The National Statistics Office said this was caused by a decrease in seasonal prices of women's clothes.

Similarly, food fell by 2.1 per cent, water, electricity, gas and fuel by 0.59 per cent, recreation and culture by 0.26 per cent and household equipment and maintenance by 0.14 per cent.

On the other hand, transport and communication rose by 2.91 per cent, housing by 1.06 per cent, personal care and health by 0.2 per cent and other goods and services by 0.06 per cent.

The 12-month moving average rate of inflation was 3.95 per cent while the annual rate stood at 1.48 per cent.