13 September 2018

2018- n° 239

In August 2018, the prices of frequently purchased goods rose by 0.4% in hyper and supermarkets Price Index in large and predominantly-food stores - August 2018

In August 2018, the prices of frequently purchased goods in hyper and supermarkets and in large and predominantly food stores sharply accelerated over a month (+0.4%) after a little increase in July (+0.1%). These increases have been the largest since summer 2011.

Excluding hyper and supermarkets, prices increased also by 0.4% after +0.2% in the three previous months.

Considering all kinds of stores, the prices of frequently purchased goods grew more than in the previous month: +0.4% after +0.1%.

Compared with the same month last year, the prices of frequently purchased goods sold in hyper and supermarkets rose a little more in August than in July: +0.8% year on year after +0.6%. The prices in large and predominantly food stores also accelerated a little: +0.8% year on year after two months of slight slowdown.

In the other kinds of stores, the prices of frequently purchased goods remained more dynamic than in large distributors: in August they rose by 2.0% year on year, after +1.9% in July.

Considering all types of stores, the increase in the prices of frequently purchased goods was more marked: +1.1% year on year after +0.9% in July and June.

In August 2018, the prices of food (excluding fresh products) sold in hyper and supermarkets rose more sharply than in the previous month: +0.4% after +0.1%. Year on year, they increased by 1.0% after +0.8% in July.

The more marked rise in prices over a month resulted from an acceleration in beverages and meat prices and, to a lesser extent, in the prices of other food products.

After two months of stability, meat prices sharply accelerated in August (+0.5%). Year on year, they rose at the same pace as in the previous month (+1.0%).

The prices of beverages sold in hyper and supermarkets increased more sharply in August than in July: +0.6% after +0.2%. Year on year, they were more dynamic than in the previous month: +1.1 after +0.5% in July. It has been the highest level since April 2013.

The prices of other food products (excluding fresh food) grew by +0.3% after +0.1% in July. Year on year, their increase was more pronounced than in July (+1.0% after +0.8%).

In August, the prices of cleaning and personal care products sold in hyper and supermarkets rebounded a little (+0.2% after −0.1% in July). Year on year, the prices of these products decreased by 0.5%, scarcely less than in July (−0.6%).