The Retail Price Index increased by 0.88 per cent in October due to an increase of 10.93 per cent in the Clothing and Footwear Index, mainly due to the introduction of the winter stock in the market, according to the National Statistics Office (NSO).

An increase of 0.76 per cent was registered in the Food Index, mainly on account of higher prices for dairy products. The Beverages and Tobacco Index went up by 0.39 per cent, mainly as a result of higher prices of served non-alcoholic beverages.

The Recreation and Culture Index increased by 0.20 per cent, mainly due to higher school fees. An increase in the price of kerosene caused the Water, Electricity, Gas and Fuels Index to go up by 0.17 per cent. Other minor increases were registered in the Housing Index and the Personal Care and Health Index.

During October, a drop of 0.17 per cent was registered in the Transport and Communications Index, mainly on account of lower prices of transport fuels. The Household Equipment and Household Maintenance Cost Index decreased by 0.16 per cent – mainly caused by a drop in the prices of household textile articles. A slight drop was registered in the Other Goods and Services Index.

In October, the 12-month moving average rate of inflation stood at 0.83 per cent, while the annual rate stood at 2.31 per cent.