Inflation slipped to 2.7% in August from 2.8% in July after clothing and fuel prices rose more slowly than last year.
According to consumer price index data from the Office for National Statistics, prices for clothing and footwear fell short of last year’s big rises but are still ahead of a 1% rise in wages.
In August, prices across clothing and footwear rose 2%, down from the 2.8% increase in the same period last year. The main downward effect came particularly from women’s outerwear items.
The ONS said prices across clothing and footwear usually rise between July and August as autumn ranges launch in store.
Fuel prices also pulled inflation down as they didn’t reach the same growth as last year. Petrol prices in August increased 2p per litre against a 3.5p per litre jump last year.
These downward forces were partially offset by price rises across the furniture, household equipment and maintenance sector with the biggest rises from furniture and furnishings and major appliances and small electricals.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages contributed small upward effects as prices rose 0.5% overall, against a 0.2% rise year-on-year.
The ONS said the figures “continue the trend of broadly steady inflation seen since spring 2012”.
The retail price index inflation grew by 3.3%.
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