The retail inflation moved closer to the double digit mark at 9.75 per cent in October due to rising prices of food items such as sugar, pulses and vegetables.

According to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data released today, it was 9.73 per cent in the previous month.

The highest rise in prices during the month was recorded by sugar, up 19.61 per cent, year-on-year basis. It was followed by edible oil which turned expensive by 17.92 per cent, while pulses were dearer by 14.89 per cent on the annual basis.

Vegetable rates during the month increased by 10.74 per cent while meat, fish and egg rates rose by 12.18 per cent. At the same time, clothing and footwear also witnessed an increase in prices at 10.47 per cent on an annual basis.