16 January 2001, 12:53 UK Dec RPI -- 2 (Jan outlook)
Turning to the outlook for next month, NS said that seasonal-food
prices have recently shown a different pattern betwen the month of
December and January.
Last year prices remained stable between the two months, while in
1998 and 1999 there were month-on-month decreases which had not been
since 1972. Hence, there could be an upward effect on the annual rate
if price changes revert to historic patterns and rise in January, NS
suggested.
NS also said prices for household goods tend to fall in January
because of sales. Recently, successive January discounting has been
larger than in previous Januaries, it observed.
January 2000 saw the largest month-on-month decline since comparable
records began in 1957, it added.
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