WASHINGTON — Retail prices for women’s apparel in November increased a seasonally adjusted 0.5 percent against October and were up 1.4 percent from a year ago, the Labor Department reported Friday in its monthly Consumer Price Index.
In the overall economy, retail prices — a closely watched measure of inflation — increased 0.2 percent in November and reflected a moderating of volatile energy and food prices, which also each rose 0.2 percent for the month. Compared with a year earlier, all retail prices increased 3.5 percent and were up 2.2 percent when food and energy prices are subtracted.
All apparel prices in November increased a seasonally adjusted 0.1 percent and declined 0.1 percent from a year earlier. Girls’ apparel prices were off 2.7 percent for the month and were down 1.3 percent over the last 12 months. Men’s apparel prices increased 0.3 percent in November against October and fell 1.4 percent from a year earlier.
Carl Steidtmann, chief economist with Deloitte Research, said apparel price fluctuations this year have reflected seasonal cycles.
“Summer months there was much heavier discounting and now we’re seeing a recovery in prices, although a modest one,” Steidtmann said.
Charles McMillion, chief economist with MBG Information Services, said apparel retailers continue to court consumers with attractively priced goods.
“Apparel prices overall continue to be lower than they were a year ago and this is at a time when the overall CPI is up 3.5 percent,” McMillion said.
Among the categories of women’s apparel tracked by the Labor Department, women’s outerwear saw retail prices decline 1.8 percent in November against October and were down 3.5 percent from a year earlier. Dress prices fell 1.9 percent for the month and dipped 0.2 percent over the year.
The two women’s apparel categories posting monthly price gains were suits and separates, up 1.6 percent, and underwear, nightwear, sportswear and accessories, up 0.4 percent. Over the year, suit and separate prices gained 4.1 percent, and prices for underwear, nightwear, sportswear and accessories fell 1.6 percent.