Prices in large supermarket chains remained almost unchanged in April 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, according to research carried out by the Institute for Research on Consumer Goods in Retail (IELKA).
Based on the research, there is a very small increase of 1.10% year-on-year, although there has been an obvious price retrenchment in recent months. More specifically, prices rose 3% in January compared to the same month last year, 2.7% in February and 0.28% in March.
Sources from the Ministry of Development commented to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency that the price reduction observed in the basic product categories, as well as the general price containment, is also a result of the new measures to deal with the price increase, such as the ” freezing” of promotional actions for three months in case of reevaluations.
The same sources noted that government interventions are gradually beginning to bear fruit, combined, of course, with other critical factors (de-escalation of raw material prices in international markets, gradual de-escalation of inflation, offers and discounts, private label products, high stock turnover rate).
The biggest price reductions were recorded in baby and baby food (-4.57%), followed by stationery, diapers and napkins, detergents and cleaning products, butter and eggs, and dairy products.
The biggest increases were recorded in water and soft drinks (12.26%), followed by biscuits, chocolates and sugars, alcoholic drinks, ready meals, nuts and snacks. Most of these items are affected by international prices of raw materials and mainly by the prices of sugar and cocoa.