Pet care down, soda up as inflation increases 1.8%

The inflation rate was 1.8 per cent for January, keeping close the average it was for 2013.

The Department of Statistics said the Food sector helped contribute to the increase with the cost of soft drinks up 11 per cent. Frozen spare ribs were up 8.9 per cent and the cost of slathering up your hot dog with creamy mayonnaise increased by 5.4 per cent.

The Rent sector was up 0.5 per cent with properties not subject to rent control up 0.1 per cent and rent-controlled properties up 0.7 per cent.

The Clothing and Footwear sector was up 0.7 per cent with accessory items up 1.8 per cent. The cost of women’s clothes increased by 0.7 per cent.

The Tobacco and Liquor sector was up0.4 per cent with the cost of spirits up 2.0 per cent and wines costing 0.4 per cent more.

The cost of keeping Fido and Kitty decreased by 1.6 per cent in January from December.

The Fuel and Power Sector saw a 2.9 per cent decline largely because residents paid 3.0 per cent in electricity.