TRADITIONAL SUMMER SALES of clothing,  footwear and household equipment contributed to the fall in consumes prices last month.

The price of  consumer goods fell slightly for the month of July, according to figures released by the Central Statistics Office (CSO).  The latest consumer price index (CPI) shows a 0.1 per cent decrease in the month of July and a 0.7 per cent increase when compared to the same period last year.

The most significant monthly price changes were decreases in clothing and footwear,  down 6.8 per cent.  There were increases in transport-related costs,  which increased by 0.9 per cent, while  alcoholic beverages and  tobacco increased by 0.7 per cent. Food and non-alcoholic beverages increased by 0.4 per cent.

The most notable changes in the year were increases in alcoholic beverages and tobacco, which increased by 6.2 per cent.  Education costs  increased by 4.8 per cent,  while food and non-alcoholic beverages  rose by 2.0 per cent . There were decreases in furnishings, household equipment and routine household maintenance equipment, down 3.3 per cent, while clothing and  footwear also reduced by 2.9 per cent

Transport costs rose mainly due to an increase in airfares and higher petrol and diesel prices. Alcoholic beverages and tobacco rose due to higher prices for beer, spirits and wine sold in off licences and supermarkets.

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