U.S.-Made Apparel Prices Fall in July

WASHINGTON — Wholesale prices for U.S.-made apparel declined 0.3 percent in July compared with June, but rose 0.1 percent from a year earlier, the Labor Department reported Tuesday in its Producer Price Index.

Women’s apparel prices fell 0.5 percent for the month and 0.8 percent year-over-year. Men’s apparel prices declined 0.3 percent month-to-month, but rose 0.9 percent in 12-month comparisons.

Prices for all goods and services were up a seasonally adjusted 0.2 percent in July, following an increase of 0.5 percent in June and a decline of 0.3 percent in May. The so-called core prices, which exclude the volatile food and energy sectors, saw prices rise 0.3 percent in July.

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“In normal times, core inflation at 0.3 percent — its highest since January — would be unwelcome, but when deflation is the fear, any sign of pricing power is greeted as good news,” said Nigel Gault, chief U.S. economist with IHS Global Insight.

In women’s apparel, prices for tailored jackets and vests, and jeans and slacks, were flat in monthly and yearly comparisons. Prices for knit shirts fell 3.1 percent month-to-month and 5.7 percent year-over-year. Dress prices declined 0.2 percent in July and 0.6 percent compared with a year earlier.

In men’s apparel, prices for woven shirts were flat in July, but rose 1.2 percent year-over-year. Knit shirt prices were up 0.1 percent month-to-month and 6.4 percent compared with a year earlier. Prices for men’s suits declined 0.1 percent in the month, but rose 1.2 percent compared with July 2009.

Apparel fabric prices fell 0.2 percent in July compared with a month earlier, but advanced 3.7 percent from a year earlier. Prices for goods made at textile product mills, which produce mostly home furnishing and industrial fabrics, declined 0.2 percent month-to-month, but rose 1.5 percent year-over-year.

Deeper in the pipeline, yarn prices fell 0.2 percent in July, but jumped 8.4 percent from a year earlier.

Synthetic fiber prices declined 1.1 percent month-to-month and 1.4 percent year-over-year. Greige fabric prices decreased 0.2 percent in July, but rose 2.7 percent year-over-year. Finished fabric prices dipped 0.4 percent for the month, but rose 3 percent for the year.