Online console computer games subscriptions, including Xbox Live Gold and PlayStation Plus, are among 13 new additions to be included in the government’s consumer price index – used to determine the UK’s inflation.
Other additions to the CPI include Spotify subscriptions, headphones and mobile phone chargers. Protein Powder has also made the product list.
“As in most years, developments in technology influence the basket updates and in 2015 two products have been introduced that can be seen as reflecting evolving trends towards online services,” explained the Office for National Statistics.
“Firstly, games consoles online subscriptions have been introduced to represent the growing market for online gaming. Similarly, music streaming subscriptions have been included to capture price changes in this sector as it becomes a more popular way to listen to music.”
a total of 703 items are now used to calculate consumer price inflation.
Source: ONS, via Eurogamer
