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Oliver Kazunga Acting Business Editor
ZIMBABWE’S inflation eased to -0.78 percent year-on-year last month, shedding 0.78 percentage points on the October rate of -0.001 percent as deflationary pressures persist, the national statistics agency said yesterday.

This means that prices as measured by the all items Consumer Price Index (CPI) decreased by an average of 0.78 percentage points between November 2013 and November 2014.

The Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency said the monthly inflation rate fell to -0.69 percent, shedding 0.58 percentage points on the October rate of -0.11 percent.

“This means that prices as measured by the all items CPI decreased at an average rate of 0.69 percent from October 2014 to November 2014,” it said.

It said the year-on-year Food and Non Alcoholic beverages inflation, prone to transitory shocks, stood at -2.75 percent whilst the Non-food inflation rate was 0.17 percent.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe has urged consumers to avoid impulse buying during the festive season.

“We want to warn consumers to be wary of bogus sales promotions and specials. We urge consumers to shop carefully and not to be mesmerised by colourful, splashing sales and special displays which are usually at the front of the shop — yet there might be better priced products inside and at the back of the shop. Consumers should still ensure that they check the sell by dates and quality of products so that they’re not saddled with sour milk, curdled yoghurt and expired tinned foods,” said CCZ executive director Rosemary Siyachitema.

She said also urged consumers to keep their money safe when they go shopping.

“As Zimbabwe is a cash economy, people have a tendency to carry a lot of cash on them and thieves and pick pockets are aware of this and they would want to make profit where they have not worked,” said Siyachitema.