(Stock Photo)
The Index of Retail Prices for February 2018 stood at 184.6 points, representing an increase of 0.7 per cent, when compared to the 183.4 points recorded the previous month.
According to the data produced by the Barbados Statistical Service, increases were recorded in Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas and Other Fuels by 2.8 per cent; Furnishings, Household Equipment and Routine Household Maintenance by 0.4 per cent; Health by 2.7 per cent; Recreation and Culture by 3.5 per cent; Education by 0.1 per cent; Restaurants and Hotels by 1.0 per cent and Miscellaneous Goods and Services by 2.5 per cent.
Declines were recorded for Food and Non-Alcoholic Beverages by 0.04 per cent; Alcoholic Beverages, Tobacco and Narcotics by 1.0 per cent; Clothing and Footwear by 0.4 per cent and Transport by 0.8 per cent.
Communication remained constant during the period.
Between February 2017 and February 2018, the Index of Retail Prices increased by 6.4 per cent from 173.5 to 184.6 points. The average inflation rate for the 12-month period was 4.5 per cent.