(The Hill) — Americans are finally seeing some relief from inflation.
New consumer price index (CPI) data — a benchmark report used to gauge inflation — released Thursday showed inflation coming down further than economists expected.
While prices still rose a swift 7.7% over the past 12 months, the annual inflation rate was less than the 7.9% expected by economists and lower than the 8.2% rate seen in September. The 0.4% monthly increase in the CPI was also less than the 0.6% increase that economists had projected.
Inflation is still near levels not seen since the 1980s and hindering American households. Prices that have already shot up are continuing to rise for food, shelter and other basic needs, pinching the economy along the way.
But the October decline in inflation brought some relief to those struggling to get by.
Used car prices
One of the first pockets of the economy hit by the inflation surge is finally seeing prices come down.
“The run-up in prices for used cars is now unwinding as supply of cars is recovering and demand is hit hard by higher interest rates,” wrote Preston Caldwell, head of U.S. economics for Morningstar Research Services, in a Thursday analysis.
Prices for used cars and trucks fell 2.4% in October alone, marking the fourth straight month of declines. While prices are still far above pre-pandemic levels, Americans searching for a used car or truck may finally see relief after months of shortages and supply chain snarls.
Used car and truck prices soared throughout much of 2020 and 2021 as supply chain issues and shortages hindered automobile manufacturing around the world. But supply chains made progress in recovery, making it easier for buyers to trade in older cars for new ones.
Cheaper household supplies
Prices for a wide range of basic household goods fell in October as consumers spent more time bargain-hunting and less money on items once in higher demand.
Household supplies and furnishings fell 0.2% in October broadly, with prices for appliances, dishware, furniture and bedding falling sharply. Many of these goods were popular among locked-down American households during the depths of the pandemic and limited by supply chain dysfunction, which boosted their prices.
“Retail promotions are a huge opportunity in inflation. Maybe it’s adjusting your promotions, eliminating profit-draining promotions altogether, or addressing lumpy inventory issues,” said Matt Pavich, senior director at consulting firm Revionics.
“Retailers are looking at all of their options right now to correct issues earlier in the supply chain,” he continued. “Pricing is the fastest lever to do this.”
Clothing and accessories
Prices for apparel dropped 0.7% in October after rising 4.1% over the past year. The biggest drops came in prices for jewelry, women’s outerwear, infant and toddler clothes and men’s formalwear.
The decline in apparel prices comes before a holiday shopping season that will be closely watched by economists for signs of fading consumer power.
The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects spending from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31 could total as much as $960 billion, which would shatter records. Sales rose 13.5% between 2020 and 2021 but the group expects that pace of growth to slow after a booming year for the sector.
Household gas
Households with heating or cooking gas may have caught a break in October as prices for utility gas service plunged 4.6% . It was one of the few parts of the energy sector to see prices drop in October, a month when fuel oil prices shot up nearly 20% and gasoline prices rose 4%.
High prices for oil and gas have been one of the major forces behind the inflationary surge. While prices were destined to rise from 2020 levels — when global lockdowns curtailed energy usage — the war in Ukraine has fueled intense volatility in energy markets.
“We expect some easing in pipeline pressures and rather large negative base-year effects inside the energy complex that will bring down both headline and core inflation through the middle of next year,” wrote Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at audit and tax firm RSM, in a Thursday analysis.
A slower increase in food prices
Food prices are still on the rise, due largely to the war in Ukraine limiting the global supply of wheat and fertilizer. Prices for food are up 10.9% on the year, and groceries alone are up 12.4% since last October.
The October inflation report showed that while prices are still increasing, they are moving up at a slower rate — the first step toward a plateau.
Prices for food rose 0.6% in October, down from increases of 0.8% in August and September and three straight months of increases of at least 1% from May to July.
Monthly inflation in groceries also fell from 0.7% in September to 0.4% in October.
