When the war scenario in Ukraine started to take shape a year ago, there was no indication that the conflict was still going on twelve months after the Russian invasion. War is here to stay and with it comes price increases. At the same time, inflation skyrocketed and household budgets began to not be enough to buy the same as a few months ago. In addition to food, which continues to increase, this impact is felt in other types of products that we all need to consume, such as personal hygiene products.
For DN/Dinheiro Vivo, KuantoKusta compared the prices of a basket of baby hygiene and care items, bath, body care, facial care and supplements, between January 16 and February 6 of this year, with those of the same period, and concluded that this set of products currently weighs 30 euros more in the pockets of the Portuguese. That is, they increased by 8.36% compared to the beginning of 2022.
Inflation has been falling for three months now, from a peak of 10.6% in October, largely due to lower energy prices. In January it was 8.4%, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE). A downward trend that is not reflected in mass consumer products and which, according to the spokeswoman for Deco Proteste, is “deplorable for the consumer”. Ana Guerreiro guarantees that it is not about finding the culprits, but about finding solutions to a situation that has been going on for a year.
“Consumers feel that all this weight has a very big impact on their family budget, and we’re not just talking about food products,” he explains. “Baby diapers cost 15.53 euros in June and currently cost 18.46 euros. That is a very big difference,” he illustrates.
Deco Proteste advocates more transparency on the part of the entire production chain. “Because if there is a justification for the increase in certain products, it is clear to the consumer why he pays more”. The head of the Consumer Protection Association urges the government to take action. “Faced with this INE data, the government should play an active role, either in legislative terms or through ASAE, so that there is more transparency.”
Although the institution has no concrete solutions, Ana Guerreiro refers to the Spanish experience of abolishing the VAT rate on some products, which she cites as an example not to be followed. Citing its neighboring country counterpart, OCU (Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios), the Consumer Defense spokeswoman says Spanish consumers did not feel that this elimination was reflected in the price of products. “That is why this is not a solution in advance,” he argues.
Price stabilization is a situation that Deco Proteste does not foresee in the near future. Without wanting to focus on futurology, Ana Guerreiro says that because of the monitoring the institution conducts on a weekly basis, the prediction is that price swings will continue.
Ricardo Pereira, marketing director of KuantoKusta, believes that there has been a trend towards price stabilization since the beginning of this year. As the increases since last year are already weighing on household budgets, Ricardo Pereira hopes that “consumers will buy in an even more thoughtful way, compare more prices and look for detailed information about the products”.
Suggestion that Ana Guerreiro also leaves. “Our main recommendation is to prepare for the shopping trip,” he says, explaining that it is essential these days to look at what consumers have in their pantry before they leave home. And then pay attention to promotions, promotions, brochures from retailers. But also to the local shops, because it often pays not to buy in the big stores.
Mónica Costa is a journalist for Dinheiro Vivo
Source: DN
