May 23, 2016: The Central Statistical Office is pleased to announce the release of the Index of Retail Prices for the month of April 2016. The information is based on data collected in the survey of retail prices during the month of April 2016.
Index of Retail Prices
The Index (All Items) was 104.2 in April 2016 from 103.3 which was recorded in the previous month (March 2016) as shown in the table attached.
The Index for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages increased from 108.6 in March 2016 to 109.2 in April 2016, reflecting an increase of 0.6%. Contributing significantly to this increase was the general upward movement in the prices of fresh whole chickens; garlic; grapes; celery; pumpkin; carbonated soft drinks; other edible oil; parboiled rice; macaroni; and mixed fresh seasoning. However, the full impact of these price increases was offset by the general decrease in the prices of fresh carite; tomatoes; Irish potatoes; fresh, chilled, frozen or seasoned beef; bodi; fresh king fish; fresh crab; fresh shrimp; biscuits; and oranges.
A further review of the data for April 2016 compared with March 2016 reflected an increase in the sub-indices for Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Maintenance of the House of 1.0%, Health of 0.8%, Transport of 3.0%, Communication of 10.1%, Hotels, Cafes and Restaurants of 2.6% and Miscellaneous Goods and Services of 0.1%. However decreases were noted in the sub-indices for Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco of 0.1%, Clothing and Footwear of 1.4%, Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels of 0.6%, and Recreation and Culture of 0.1%.
Inflation Rate
The Inflation Rate for April 2016 (measured as the percentage change in the Index for January to April 2016/January to April 2015) was 3.1%. This represents an increase from 3.0% which was recorded in the previous period (January to March 2016/January to March 2015). The Inflation Rate for the comparative period (January to April 2015/January to April 2014) was 6.3%.
