The retail price index rose slightly went up to 102.70 last month from 102.39 in October, the National Statistics Office said..

It said this primarily reflected an increase of 3.83 per cent in the clothing and footwear index, due to seasonally higher prices of garments.

The beverages and tobacco index went up by 1.04 per cent, mainly due to an increase in the price of cigarettes.

A rise in the price of fruit and vegetables was the main factor underlying an increase of 0.54 per cent in the food index.

An increase of 0.06 per cent was recorded in the household equipment and house maintenance cost index due to costlier textile articles.

The transport and communication index decreased by 0.59 per cent, mainly due to lower airfares.

A drop of 0.05 per cent was recorded in the recreation and culture index, mainly due to lower prices of audio-visual equipment.

A similar drop was recorded in the other goods and services index, mainly as a result of reduced prices for non-durable household goods.

The 12-month moving average rate of inflation last month stood at 1.19 per cent, whereas the annual rate stood at 2.43 per cent.