Alcohol prices rise 3.5%
However they were down by 0.3% compared to the previous month, September and also over the three-month period August to October when compared to the previous three-month period.
In the off-trade, prices rose 3.4% over the 12 months to October while they indicated a decrease of 1.0% when compared to the previous month, September. The annual changes comprised a 2.5% rise in spirits prices, a 4.3% rise in wine prices and a 2.5% rise in beer prices.
Spirits prices fell by 0.7% compared to September while the cost of wine fell by 1.1% and beer by 1.2%.
In the on-trade, prices in licensed premises rose by 3.2% compared to October 2013 comprising a rise in spirits prices of 3.6% as well as a rise in wine and beer prices of 3.1%. Soft drinks and mineral water prices rose 1.4%.
Prices in licensed premises level-pegged with the previous month, September with only a 0.1% drop in prices for wine and beer.
On average, prices generally were 0.2% higher than October 2013 but they decreased by 0.3% compared to the previous month, September.
