Heating oil has already become significantly more expensive, while gas prices are currently rising even more moderately. Looking at the global market, however, Sulilatu warns that the real price surge is yet to come. The higher procurement costs would “reach the households with a time delay”.

Food prices: The next price surge is coming

Developments in supermarkets are particularly relevant for consumers. Several cost drivers come into play here at the same time:

• Cooling, transport and processing depend heavily on energy prices
• Agriculture depends on fertilizer and diesel
• Supply chains react with delays

Sulilatu gets specific: “Fresh goods are the first to become more expensive.” This particularly applies to fruit, vegetables, dairy products and meat.

How shopping behavior is changing permanently

The consumer reaction has been visible for a long time and often lasts longer. Instead of branded products, many households permanently opt for cheaper ones Own brands.

From the point of view of retail expert Robert Kecskes, it is plausible that this change will continue: Many consumers did not notice any significant differences in quality after the switch and therefore see no reason to return to more expensive products, says the expert on “daily news“.

Shopping behavior as a whole is also changing. Special offers are used specifically and products are bought in stock when they are reduced. According to Kecskes, many households have learned that certain products are regularly on sale and adjust their purchases accordingly.

Even in Organic segment this trend is evident. According to data from Agrarmarkt Informations-Gesellschaft (AMI), business with cheaper organic own brands in traditional retailers and discounters is growing, while more expensive specialist providers are losing customers, reports the “Tagesschau”. Many consumers remain loyal to organic but are switching to lower-priced categories or private label brands.

This is how you can now save effectively at the supermarket checkout

For many people, the question is now: How can I save money when shopping? The good news is: There are tried and tested strategies that can be implemented directly in everyday life.

1. Anticipate price increases in time

• Fresh food goes up first: pay particular attention to prices here
• If necessary, buy durable products cheaper now

2. Use your own brands consistently

• Savings are often 20 to 50 percent
• Particularly useful for standard products such as flour, sugar, rice or pasta, milk, butter and eggs, canned goods (e.g. tomatoes, beans), frozen vegetables, oat flakes or basic muesli products

3. Use offers specifically instead of accessing them randomly

The point here is not to buy spontaneously, but rather to use prices consciously:

• Many products (e.g. coffee, detergent, cheese) are on sale regularly, often every two to three months
• Instead of buying them at the normal price, wait specifically for these promotions

4. Think about energy indirectly

• Products that require a lot of refrigeration or transport become more expensive
• Prefer seasonal and regional goods

5. Time purchases wisely

• Finanztip boss Sulilatu advises that planned purchases should be brought forward, but with a caveat:
  “Don’t buy anything on credit.”

Anyone who understands the crisis mechanisms saves money at the checkout

Crises drive up prices at supermarket checkouts, but not arbitrarily. They follow clear economic connections. Anyone who understands this can react in a targeted manner:

• shop early,
• compare prices,
• Adjust behavior.

The crisis makes many things more expensive, but smart consumer behavior can significantly cushion the effect.