Nine out of ten consumers have changed their eating habits due to inflation, prioritizing products on sale, white brands or super ‘low cost’ and, to a lesser extent, reducing the consumption of fresh food, according to the survey carried out in December by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), which includes Europa Press.
Specifically, the report reveals that the majority of Europeans consider that their financial situation has worsened compared to a year ago, while it highlights the significant increase in households experiencing economic difficulties, which in the case of Spain has gone from 23 % to 35% in the last eight months, who are forced to resort to their savings to get to the end of the month (60%), to ask family and friends for money (32%) or request a loan from the bank (18% ).
Among the factors that have contributed the most to the deterioration of domestic economies in Spain, inflation stands out, especially in the field of food, where it has recorded historical records at the end of the year. In this way, the majority of consumers have modified their eating habits, prioritizing products on sale (69% of those surveyed), prioritizing white brands (66%) and super ‘low cost’ (58%).
At the same time, the consumption of fresh products is being reduced, such as meat and fish (32%), but also fruits and vegetables (18%). On the contrary, the consumption of products with a long shelf life, such as packaged and frozen foods, is increasing (28%). Inflation is also promoting new domestic consumption habits in the field of energy in nine out of ten homes, the most common being turning off the light every time you leave a room (72%), followed by reducing heating (63%), unplugging the mobile or tablet charger when not in use (59%) or even cutting the duration of the shower or giving preference to the bathroom (51%).
The impact of inflation also affects other environments. Thus, those surveyed point to new savings habits to reduce spending on leisure and hospitality (87%), on clothing and accessories (84%), on travel (84%), on cultural activities (80%) and on the use of the car (74%). But also in the domestic budget for sports (60%), training (45%) and health care (41%), specifically what corresponds to the dentist, the physio or consultations and diagnostic tests.
In this way, the OCU has urged the Government to “urgently” increase the amount of the check of 200 euros, as well as the number of beneficiaries, while requesting the application of 0% VAT to meat and fish. The consumer organization has also requested an increase in the personal and family minimums in the family, it is not subject to taxation and in fact it has not been updated since 2015.
