The June, 2025 Consumer Price Index (CPI) report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed a monthly increase of 0.3%, bringing the annual inflation rate to 2.7%.
Prices for energy services rose 0.9%, with increases in electricity and utility gas services of 1.0% and 0.5%, respectively. Year-over-year energy services costs sit at an elevated 7.5% increase, including a 5.8% YoY increase in electricity.
The household furnishing and operations index–cleaning supplies, appliances, furniture, maintenance–increased by 1.0% in June, following just +0.3% in May.
Transportation services overall rose 0.2%, with +0.2% for motor vehicle maintenance and repair and +0.1% for motor vehicle insurance. The June increase brings this insurance index to +6.1% over the past year, a notable growth.
Impact on Women-Owned Businesses by Sector
1. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (PSTS)
Increased costs of 0.5% for internet services and electronic information providers poses particular challenges for women-owned businesses in this sector whose work hinges on client communications, remote work, and software as a service (SaaS).
2. Healthcare & Social Assistance
With medical care services costs growing by 0.6%, businesses providing outpatient services and hospital-related care will see crucial costs rise. Gains related to household operations (+1.0%) also indicate rising expenses for care facilities and clinics.
3. Other Services (personal care, laundry, etc)
Rising electricity costs and gas costs (+1.0%, +0.5%) have implications for businesses that use high levels of utilities to operate, such as hair and nail salons and laundromats.
4. Administrative & Support Services
Motor vehicle maintenance and repair (+0.2%) and motor vehicle insurance (+0.1%) suggest rising costs particularly for support services that include fleet operations (i.e. temp staffing, security, cleaning).
5. Retail trade
An increase in postage and delivery services costs (0.4%) point to higher costs for brick-and-mortar and e-commerce stores that ship products around the country directly to consumers.
June’s CPI shows that costs remain high for energy, transportation, delivery services, and household operations. Although inflation shows signs of slowing, for women-owned businesses these persistent increases pose ongoing financial challenges in some key industries.