By Jessica Lim

NTUC FairPrice will extend the 5 per cent discount on 500 housebrand items till the end of October.

This is the third extension to help consumers cope with inflation.

The discounts on housebrand items such as bread, rice, cooking oil, and non-edible products like dishwashing liquid, tissue paper and disposable utenstils, were to have ended on July 31.

The latest extension follows the Monetary Authority of Singapore's (MAS) upward revision of the inflation forecast last week and overwhelming response from NTUC shoppers.

MAS expects inflation for this year to go up to 6-7 per cent, from the earlier 5-6 per cent, due to external developments, higher oil prices and rising prices of food.

Since the discounts were offered in December, NTUC FairPrice has chalked up a 25 per cent increase in sales of the 500 housebrand items.

The most popular items were enriched white bread and vegetable oil.