Retailers squeezed as factory wholesale prices increase by 1.3%

RETAILERS’ margins are being squeezed as consumer prices fall and factory gate wholesale prices continue to rise.

Yesterday, the Central Statistics Office released figures which show factory gate prices increased by 1.3% in November 2008.

“This compares to a decrease of 1.1% recorded for November 2007. As a result, the annual percentage change showed an increase of 5.2% in November 2008, compared with an increase of 2.6% in October 2008,” the CSO said.