Breaking down the categories, clothing and footwear prices experienced a minor increase, being 0.2 per cent more expensive this September compared to last year. The inflation's significant decrease can largely be attributed to the notable price shifts in the energy sector. Energy was a striking 57 per cent cheaper in September than it was twelve months earlier, compared to the almost 47 per cent decrease in prices in August year-on-year (YoY).

Excluding the price changes related to energy and motor fuels, September's inflation rate would have stood at a much higher 5.5 per cent, a drop from August's 6.4 per cent. The significant influence of energy prices on inflation stems primarily from the surge in energy prices during the latter half of 2022, as per CBS.

On the European front, as per the Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP), the Netherlands saw consumer goods and services being 0.3 per cent cheaper this September than in the same month of the previous year. This is a shift from August when prices were 3.4 per cent higher YoY. In the broader eurozone, inflation also saw a decline, moving from 5.2 per cent in August to 4.3 per cent in September.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DP)