SHANGHAI: Shanghai’s Consumer Price Index, the main gauge of inflation, grew 2.6 percent from a year earlier in April, according to the Shanghai Statistics Bureau here the other day.
The rate picked up from an increase of 2.5 percent in March, as prices of clothes rose 11 percent and costs of food added 3.3 percent. However, the costs of transport in the city fell 2.6 percent.
In the first four months, Shanghai’s consumer prices gained 2.4 percent to rank as the second highest among all Chinese provinces and municipalities after Qinghai Province.
“Overall, Shanghai’s inflation remained stable,” said Han Jun, an official with the bureau. “People continue to show strong demand for quality goods, and the supply is sufficient.”
Shanghai’s retail sales quickened 7.8 percent from January to April, weaker than the average pace of 10.4 percent nationwide.