Furniture prices increased slightly in July, while carpets declined, as overall inflation rose again.
According to the latest Office for National for National Statistics (ONS) data, the Consumer Prices Index (CPI) rose by 3.8% in the 12 months to July 2025, up from 3.6% in the 12 months to June. On a monthly basis, CPI rose by 0.1% in July 2025, compared with a fall of 0.2% in July 2024.
Transport, particularly air fares, made the largest upward contribution to the monthly change in both CPIH and CPI annual rates; housing and household services, particularly owner occupiers’ housing costs, made a large, partially offsetting, downward contribution in CPIH.
For furniture, furnishings and carpets, the combined figure saw prices rise 0.8% in July, up from its rise of 0.7% the previous month, while compared to last year, prices were up from its fall of -2.1%. Sectors within the category are detailed below.
Furniture and furnishing prices rose by 1.2%, compared to a rise of 0.9% the previous month, while up from a -2.6% fall compared to the same month last year.
The retail price of household furniture increased by 1.3% in the month, up from a rise of 1%, while up from a decline of -2.4% last year.
Garden furniture prices rose by 5%, compared to a fall of -2.2% on last month, and from a decline of -18.1% compared to last year.
Carpets and other floorcoverings prices increased by 0.1%, down compared to a rise of 0.4% the previous month, while up from -0.6% last year.
Other household textile prices, including furnishings fabrics, curtains and bedding, saw prices rise by 1.4%, up from its rise of 1.3% the previous month, as well as higher than a rise of 0.7% on last year.
Commenting on the inflation figures for July, ONS Chief Economist Grant Fitzner said: “Inflation rose again this month to its highest annual rate since the beginning of last year.
“The main driver was a hefty increase in air fares, the largest July rise since collection of air fares changed from quarterly to monthly in 2001. This increase was likely due to the timing of this year’s school holidays.
“The price of petrol and diesel also increased this month, compared with a drop this time last year. Food price inflation continues to climb, with items such as coffee, fresh orange juice, meat and chocolate seeing the biggest rises.”
