Lower are the prices of the “typical household basket” in Greek supermarkets than France, England, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Romania, as evidenced by the repetitive report of the Retail Institute of Retail Consumer Research.

It is noted that the results are derived from Organized price comparison survey (based on elements of price comparison platforms in each country, but also on supermarket pricing) in a typical product basket of organized food retailers (supermarket) in Greece in December 2024 and respectively in France, in the United Kingdom In Spain, Italy, Portugal, Germany and Romania.

Price comparison is done with and without the value of VATwhich differs in each country. The prices were compared to this analysis in a total of 41 product categories. These subcategories of product are examined by a significant sample of over 6,000 product prices and 44 different supermarket chains in eight countries in total to calculate average prices, with sampling from valid price comparison sites in Greece and abroad, as well as supermarket chains. The data include final prices of both branded products and private label products in each country. It is clarified that prices are only for supermarket chains and not other points of sale.

Comparison of average basket prices shows that four countries have a significantly more expensive average basket than Greece, 39% Germany, 27% France, 24% UK, 11% Italy, while Portugal has more expensive basket by 7%. by 8% Spain and 5% Romania.

However, as IELKA points out, the image image changes significantly when we remove the corresponding VAT by country to understand the actual prices of supermarket products. The comparison of baskets in this case shows that the seven countries have a more expensive average basket than Greece, Germany by 47%, France by 34%, the United Kingdom by 32%, Italy by 19%, the Spain by 17% Portugal by 10% and Romania by 10%. This, according to IELKA, is the result of the difference between low VAT per country (this is the VAT mentioned in food and drinks). In Greece this VAT is 13%. VAT is significantly higher than the United Kingdom (0% or 5%) and France (10% and 5.5%), Spain (10% and 2%), Portugal (13% and 6%), Italy (5%and 4%), Germany (7%) and Romania (9%), but also most EU countries. The main difference is that foods in Greece even subject to high VAT rate with 24% In the rest countries fall into the low VAT ratewhich is lower than Greek with 6%, 5.5%, 4%or even 0%. Few products are found in low VAT in Greece and high in other countries (eg baby wipes). It is noted that the impact of special consumption taxes (eg coffee) cannot be taken into account in the above information.

According to IELKA, the general conclusion arising from the above analysis is that the organized Greek food retail (supermarket) provides Greek consumers access to products for its typical average basket at lower prices that have been the result of organized efforts by suppliers and retailers to maintain prices in recent years. This trend with slight fluctuations has been timeless over the last 12 years of this research by IELKA.

Timeless price comparison with overseas shows that in recent years Greece constantly Has cheaper the typical basket From comparative countries with some fluctuations that do not change the general conclusion of analysis.

It is noted that agents which should are taken into account When prices are compared between different countries are: the amount of VAT rates in each country, the excise taxes in each country, the amount of taxation in each country, agricultural and industrial production in each country, consumer habits in each country ( eg the tendency for packaged or non -products, private label products, etc. Fuel and general transport, wage-labor costs, country’s distance from the productive centers of Central Europe and the corresponding costs, the complexity of each country’s geography (eg road network, islands, etc.), the Market size, purchasing power-power and corresponding economies of scale in product supplies The ratio between organized retail and small specialized points Sale, export-inspection balance in relation to food and raw materials, various production costs (energy, raw materials, wage costs, financial costs, bureaucracy), industry and retailing in every country and the Seasonality of demand and supply (eg due to tourism or weather conditions).

Price data is calculated by well -known countries’ price observatories examined and supplemented by honors and for Greece in the primary data from high supermarket pricing. The criteria for selecting the categories in the basket are a combination of selection of the largest sales of goods, corresponding used baskets for overseas assessment, as well as a common availability of product categories in the markets in the countries examined.

The figures come from the following supermarket chains: Greece (Sklavenitis, AB, My Market, Massoutis, Market in), United Kingdom (Morrisons, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Coop, Ocado, Tesco), Spain (Carrefour, Marcadona, Caprabo, Condis, Condis , Dia, eroski, SOYSUPER. Aldi), Germany (Edeka, Rewe, Kaufland, Lekkerland, Bela, Norma), Romania (Carrefour, Auchan, Mega Image).