São Paulo - The retail price index (IPV) for the greater São Paulo region rose 0.9% in the first sample period of this month, reports the state Commercial Federation (Fecomercio-SP). For the sake of comparison, in July the IPV rose 0.86%, in June it was up 1.55% and in May 1.19%. Those increases are blamed on a spike in demand for warmer clothing due to a colder, more prolonged winter weather this year in Brazil and Mother's Day in May. And the fall in August is seen as due to the end of those pressures.For example, in the latest sample period, clothing prices actually fell 1.32%. However, there was a sharp rise in prices of footwear, up 3.29%. Prices for durable goods rose 1.58%, and food prices were up 1.42%.

Agência Brasil
Translator: Allen Bennett
08/11/2004