Methodological note to the consumer price index for March 2021 (COVID-19)

Since governmental measures were imposed due to COVID-19 pandemic, the movement of people was restricted in March 2021, and some outlets (stores) and service establishments were closed, which had a direct or indirect impact on household consumption and thus consumer price indices.

Methodological procedure how to cope with these unexpected fluctuations in the household consumption for the consumer price index (CPI) was based on the existing CPI concept and on a harmonised approach across EU Member States under the current circumstances for the harmonized index of consumer prices (HICP) the methodology of which is decisive also for the national CPI. Basic principles are described in details in methodological note for April 2020

Concrete measures to ensure continuity of time series of selected price indices in March 2021

As for the share in reduction of consumption within the consumer basket, it applied mainly to the following ECOICOP divisions:

Clothing and footwear (03) – a major part of the prices was surveyed on the Internet. For seasonal clothing and footwear, usual seasonal adjustment methods were used.

Furnishings, household equipment and routine maintenance of the house (05) – prices in supermarkets, chemist´s (drugstores), and prices of most of the services were surveyed in a standard way. Other prices were surveyed on the Internet and from price lists.

Transport (07) – prices of motor cars, motorcycles, and bicycles were surveyed over the phone, on the Internet, and from price lists. For the price index of air transport, an overall price index of transport services (07.3) was used.

Recreation and culture (09) – Most of the prices were surveyed on the Internet or from price lists, as the case may be. For recreational and cultural services (09.4), prices from the previous month were partially used, namely in cases, in which prices change only slightly (admission fees/charges). For package holidays (09.6), the prices were combination of prices surveyed from price lists and prices of international package holidays already realised in March.

Restaurants and hotels (11) – prices were surveyed on the Internet, from price lists, and over the phone; for catering services (11.1) also from sale of food to take away (through little windows). For accommodation services (11.2), prices for February were partially used.

Miscellaneous goods and services (12) – a major part of the prices was surveyed in a standard way; the missing prices, especially for hairdressing salons and personal grooming establishments (12.1.1), were surveyed on the Internet and from price lists.