At a time when all eyes are focused on the 51 product categories which are included in the household basket, despite efforts to keep their prices in check, price hikes continue for many brand-name products that were left out of the basket.
Through the platform e-katanalotis It is easy to see that while efforts are being made to keep prices in check for certain basic goods in the «low-cost» basket—which consists mainly of private-label products,...on the shelves, the upward price trend for brand-name products continues.
Consumer preference for private-label products is also evident from data provided by the market research firm IRI, according to which, The market share of private-label products remains high, specifically at 15.9% in the the first nine months of 2022, with this particular category «trading» at 12.8%
Examples of brand-name products whose prices have risen in the last 24 hours:
Long-grain rice (4 x 125-gram package) had an average price of 2.75 euros yesterday, November 1. One day earlier, on October 31, the average price was 2.71 euros, while on October 26, it was selling for 2.61 euros.
A world-famous chocolate On November 1, it had an average price of 1.44 euros, whereas a few days earlier, on October 26, it was selling for 1.37.
Whole-grain pretzels On November 1, they were priced at 1.73 euros, whereas on October 28, they were selling for 1.64 euros.
Canned sardines (100 g) had an average price of 1.68 euros on November 1, whereas just 24 hours earlier, on October 29, it was selling for 1.62 euros.
Cotton napkins (24 pieces) were priced at 2.8 euros on November 1, compared to 2.68 euros the day before and 2.62 euros on October 28.
Greek Little Ouzo (400–600 g) had an average price of 9.8 euros on November 1, 9.32 euros the day before (October 31), and 8.65 euros on October 29.
Frozen babies (450 g) had an average price of 4.85 euros on November 1, whereas on October 29, the same package was selling for 4.68 euros.
Liquid descaling cleaner (500 ml) had an average price of 1.97 on November 1 and 1.83 euros the day before.
Patch liquid (1,500 ml) had an average price of 5.29 euros on November 1, 4.87 euros just one day earlier, and 4.51 euros on October 26.
Spaghetti N5, 500 g, on November 1, they had an average price of 1.41 euros, and the day before, 1.39 euros.
Food Inflation
The picture that emerges from supermarket shelves essentially confirms the latest data from Eurostat for the October inflation, with regard to the food.
In Greece, it fell to 9.8% from 12.1% in September, while in the Eurozone it climbed to 10.7% from 9.9% a month earlier. According to the data, however, while the annual energy inflation It fell significantly in October (on a month-over-month basis, from September to October, down 12% – from +2.7% in September), but the same was not true for inflation in food, following in the footsteps of the Eurozone.
Food prices in Greece rose by 1.6% in October compared with September and by 12.8% compared with October 2021.
As it turns out, food price increases in Greece are in line with food price increases in the Eurozone.
Reactions and Amusing Incidents
«Based on the first day, the ‘household basket’ issue worked in Mr. Georgiadis’s favor, as he managed to turn all the media’s attention toward them for a publicity stunt, stressed the president of the INKA, George Lechouritis, speaking on the program «Open Communication» on Open TV.
As he complained, «A product that was on sale (-40%) was added to the cart, and we have the same price.».
In fact, he pointed out that several products listed in the supermarkets« promotional flyers were included in the »cheap” shopping basket with the highest price!
«The relief package won't do anything for either the economy or people's wallets,» he emphasized.
The president of the consumer association EKPOIZO also spoke about the measure's ineffectiveness, Panagiota Kalapotharakou, speaking on the show.
«From a survey we conducted on e-katanalotis, we saw, for example, that pasta prices range from 0.62 euros to 1.31 euros at various supermarkets. Feta cheese starts at 10.20 and goes up to 14.85 euros. Is this what a household grocery basket looks like? Consumers have to work overtime just to shop…».
Papathanasis: All the items in the shopping cart are cheaper than they were two weeks ago
«»The initial response has been positive. The products are priced lower," emphasized the Deputy Minister of Development, Nikos Papathanasis, Speaking on ERT, he noted that all the items in the «household shopping basket» are cheaper than they were two weeks ago.
At the same time, he admitted that When a measure is implemented, corrective actions are needed. Specifically, he pointed out that there should be better signage so that consumers can find products more easily, that relevant announcements should be made, and that supermarket employees should provide guidance, etc.
«In general The problem was how to find the products in the supermarket. »That's something we corrected yesterday, and I think things will be much better today, but a new measure also requires some corrective actions—something we're doing and have never denied," he added.
He explained, however, that The products will be located in the aisles where they used to be and they were available before, but they will be marked with a special label so that people know which ones they are. Consumers They will also be able to get information about these specific products on supermarket websites, at supermarket entrances, and on the e-katanalotis app.
