China's Clothing Prices Outpace Headline Inflation

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 03:11:19 +0000

August 2026: Clothing Prices Rise Faster Than Overall Inflation

In August 2026, China’s consumer price index (CPI) increased by 0.8% year-on-year, up from 0.5% in July, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This acceleration in inflation was partly driven by clothing prices, which rose 1.3% year-on-year, following a 1.4% increase in July. Clothing has consistently outpaced headline inflation, signalling sustained cost pressures in the apparel sector.

Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy prices, stood at 1.0%. Within the clothing category, garment prices climbed 1.5% year-on-year, while footwear prices rose 0.7%. On a month-on-month basis, clothing prices edged down 0.1%, but the cumulative increase from January to August averaged 1.6% above the same period a year earlier.

Economic Indicators on Marianne Caroline

China's Clothing Prices Outpace Headline Inflation

August 2026: Clothing Prices Rise Faster Than Overall Inflation