Off-trade spirits prices up 4%
Comparing September’s prices to those for August, the CSO notes a 1.6% price rise in off-trade alcoholic beverages comprising a 2.7% rise in spirits prices, a 1.9% rise in wine prices and a 0.2% rise in beer prices.
Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco prices rose due to an increase in the cost of tobacco products and higher prices for alcoholic beverages sold in supermarkets and off-licences.
Prices in Licensed Premises generally rose by 1.8% in the year. This comprised a 2.6% rise in spirits prices, a 0.5% rise in wine and soft drink prices and a 2.5% rise in beer prices.
Comparing September to August the CSO notes a 0.2% increase in prices in Licensed Premises. This comprised a 0.2% increase in wine and soft drinks prices and a 0.3% increase in beer prices while spirits prices remained unchanged.
Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices
Prices on average, as measured by the CPI, were 3.7% higher in September compared with September 2020.
The most notable changes in the year were increases in Transport (up 11.4%), Housing, Water, Electricity, Gas & Other Fuels (up 9.0%), Alcoholic Beverages & Tobacco (up 4.9%) and Restaurants & Hotels (up 2.7%).
Consumer Prices in September, as measured by the CPI, increased by 0.5% in the month. During September of last year, prices fell by 0.4% in the month.
There were decreases in Health (down 0.7%) and Restaurants & Hotels (down 0.6%). Restaurants & Hotel prices increased primarily due to higher prices for alcoholic drinks and food consumed in licensed premises, restaurants, cafes etc.