Year-on-year growth in consumer prices increased by 0.5 p.p. to 3.1% in October, with prices remaining unchanged at the monthly level. The higher annual rate was largely attributable to a lower base effect, as a new electricity network charge calculation system was introduced in October last year, starting with the lower summer tariff period. Consequently, price growth in the housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuels group accelerated from 0.4% to 4.2% in October this year. An additional contributing factor was a 6.3% monthly increase in the price of heat energy. Year-on-year inflation continued to be driven mainly by prices in the food and non-alcoholic beverages group, which increased by 6.8% year-on-year (7.0% in September). The year-on-year growth in prices of durable goods strengthened slightly in October but remained moderate at 0.6%. Due to less pronounced seasonal price increases in the clothing and footwear group, the year-on-year growth in semi-durable goods prices slowed further, reaching 0.2% – the lowest level since September last year. The year-on-year growth in service prices (2.7%) fell below 3% in the last two months.

The economic sentiment indicator continued to improve in October and was again also higher year-on-year. Its value has been rising steadily since mid-year, with the confidence strengthening across all activities. Consumer confidence, however, remained roughly unchanged after improving in August. With the exception of manufacturing, where the confidence indicator has been improving only gradually, its value has exceeded the long-term average in all other activities (construction, trade, and services). The consumer confidence indicator remains slightly below its long-term average, showing no notable improvement since mid-year. 

Total real turnover in market services, which had declined in the second quarter and continued to decrease in July, rose sharply in August (by 2.7%, seasonally adjusted), while remaining broadly unchanged year-on-year. Turnover increased significantly in current terms in transportation and storage (particularly in storage) where growth has been sustained over a prolonged period. Growth was also relatively strong in professional and technical activities, following a sharp decline in turnover in the second quarter and in July. In information and communication, modest growth continued in August after an increase in the first half of the year. After an increase in the second quarter and a decline in July, turnover in accommodation and food service activities also rose slightly in August. Turnover decreased only in administrative and support service activities, mainly due to a continued contraction in employment services. In the first eight months of 2025, real turnover was higher year-on-year only in transportation and storage (by 2.3%) and in professional and technical activities (by 0.9%).