The dynamics of price increases in stores is slowing down. Good news about food

The “Retail Store Price Index” report by UCE RESEARCH and the WSB Merito University indicates that in September, daily purchases in stores became more expensive on average by 4.9%. compared to the same period last year. This result is slightly lower than in recent months – in August it was 5.1%, and in July – 5.7%.

Prices in stores are rising slower

The authors of the report point out that although the dynamics of price growth in stores is slowing down, it is still higher than the general inflation rate. Let us recall that according to preliminary data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), consumer inflation in September amounted to 2.9%.

– Our report focuses on selected, but key – from the consumer’s perspective – categories, i.e. primarily food, beverages, household chemicals and children’s products. The CPI covers a much broader, weighted basket of goods and services. The problem is also deepened by the fact that instead of raising prices, stores reduce the weight of products, which is not captured by inflation statistics, but consumers feel it in their wallets. This discrepancy between statistics and personal feelings shapes the final image of prices in the eyes of Poles – comments Dr. Robert Orpych from WSB Merito University.

The report shows that the reduction in the rate of price increases also applies to food products. Food prices increased by 4.1% in September. year to year, compared to 4.3 percent in August and 4.9 percent in July. Robert Oprych emphasizes that the slowdown in the growth of food prices is crucial for the entire reading, because food expenses mainly burden household budgets. In turn, the decreasing difference between the dynamics of food price increases and the general index shows that other categories of goods are beginning to have a greater impact on the overall result, and the entire market is becoming more balanced.