US Labor Department reducing CPI collection sample

WASHINGTON, June 4 (Reuters) - The Labor Department's Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said on Wednesday it was reducing the Consumer Price Index collection sample in areas across the country due to resource constraints, but this should have "minimal impact" on the overall CPI data.

In statement posted on its website, the BLS said the sample reduction and collection suspension could, however, increase the volatility of subnational or item-specific indexes.

"BLS makes reductions when current resources can no longer support the collection effort," the agency said. "BLS will continue to evaluate survey operations."