Retail prices saw deflation in January, after months of double-digit and near-double-digit increases.
Prices fell by 0.5% for carpets and flooring coverings, in contrast to a 4.8% rise in December and 12.2% in January 2023.
The largest drop was in carpets and rugs where the rate dropped from 7% in December to 0.2% in January 2024. Since January 2023 the rate has generally seen alternative falls and increases each month, falling from 12.1% in January 2023. The drop was the fourth consecutive fall.
In contrast, smooth flooring maintained a second month of price falls, but the decreases slowed. The rate rose from -3.8% in December to -2% in January, and compares with 17.3% in January 2023.
