Retail inflation at 16-month low in January 2021

CPI-based retail inflation hit a 16-month low of 4.1% Y-o-Y in January 2021 as compared to 4.6% in December 2020 and 7.6% in January 2020.

Food inflation was at a 20-month low of 1.9% Y-o-Y in January 2021 as compared to 3.5% in December 2020. In fact, inflation in other major food

CPI for Pan, tobacco, and intoxicants increased to 10.9% in January 2021 as compared to 10.7 percent in December 2020.  

Other non-food items, however, showed higher inflation. Items such as 'Fuel and Light', have been exhibiting higher inflation for the past two months.

 Inflation in core items like housing remained unchanged the last three months at 3.2% Y-o-Y in January 2021, December 2020 and November 2020.

Inflation in clothing and footwear increased 3.8% Y-o-Y in January 2021 as compared to 1.9% Y-o-Y in January 2020. SHIVANI SHARMA, PRAGATI SRIVASTAVA