The Office for National Statistics has updated the "shopping basket" of 650 goods and services it uses to calculate the two main measures of inflation, the consumer prices index and the retail prices index.
The changes are introduced with the February 2008 figures published today.
The basket (PDF format, 121K) (external website) includes a new item that covers "nostalgic consumption" of classic albums by artists such as Madonna, U2 and Pink Floyd. Top 40 CD singles have been removed, reflecting the way music is now often bought online.
The digital revolution has also meant that 35mm film is removed from the basket, following the disappearance of 35mm cameras last year. A new item included is portable digital storage media, such as memory cards and USB storage sticks.
Also included for the first time are muffins, representing the snacks often bought with a coffee in the café culture. Fruit smoothies reflect the growing demand for healthy soft drinks, while 20-bottle crates of lager replace the stubbies that were popular in the past.
The changes are designed to ensure that the basket reflects consumer spending.
|
| Permalink | Email this |
