In December 2025, inflation began to rise again. According to initial estimates from ISTAT, the national consumer price index (NIC), excluding tobacco, rose by 0.2 percent in comparison to November and by 1.2 percent on an annual basis, representing a modest acceleration from the 1.1 percent increase observed the previous month, returning to October levels. According to the statistical institute, consumer prices rose by an average of 1.5 percent throughout 2025 relative to the prior year, exceeding the 1.0 percent increase observed in 2024. In December, the index thus returned to positive territory after the declines observed in September, October, and November. Consumer goods prices continued to grow. During December, the annual increase in the prices of food, domestic, and personal care products intensified. The so-called "shopping cart" price rose from 1.5 percent in November to 2.2 percent. Prices for regularly purchased products also rose, from 2.0 percent to 2.2 percent.