shopping in the supermarket
Greece introduces “household basket” – how expensive food should become cheaper
A woman stands in front of a supermarket shelf in Greece (symbolic image)
© Xinhua / Imago Images
Expensive food prices are an increasing challenge for many people. Greece has therefore introduced a “household basket” intended to cap prices in supermarkets. Citizens should be able to buy a variety of products at reduced prices on a regular basis.
As in Germany, all prices have risen in other countries, such as Greece, due to the high inflation rate. After energy prices, food, alcohol and tobacco products have risen the most compared to the same month last year (13.1 percent), as the statistics office Eurostat announced on Monday.
The Greek government now wants to counteract this. Since Wednesday (November 2), the country’s major supermarket chains have been reducing the prices of selected products. In coordination with the Ministry for Development and Investment, citizens should be able to buy basic foodstuffs and hygiene items that change weekly at reduced prices. Specifically, it is about 50 product categories, including staple foods such as rice, pasta and bread, but also toilet paper and hygiene items. The offer changes weekly, so that other products should be available at lower prices on a regular basis.
The 13 participating supermarket chains each decide for themselves on the selection of products and their pricing. The reduced prices and the specific products of the individual supermarkets can therefore differ from each other.
Greece: Supermarket prices can be compared online
The price reduction must be indicated with a special label both on the sales shelves and in the advertising brochures of the supermarket branches. In addition, the “household baskets” of the respective supermarkets can be called up on a website that has been set up. You can see the current price of certain products, which is valid for one week. In this way, various products can be called up and the prices applicable at the time in the individual supermarkets can be compared with each other. The price development of products in the past week can also be seen.
Minister for Development and Investment Adonis Georgiadis said: “The household basket was made for the fellow citizen who doesn’t make it through the month. We approach him with respect, care and empathy and tell him: ‘The state is working to find a solution for to find your problems’.”
Inflation in the eurozone last rose to a record 10.7 percent in October, from 9.9 percent in September. The inflation rate in Greece was 9.8 percent last month. In Germany it was 11.6 percent.
Sources: APE MPE, Eurostat