When the guns blare, prices rise:
A special examination by the Consumer Council of the "Emergency Basket" published today (Thursday) a three percent increase in prices from last week - a 23 percent increase in the prices of chip bars, the Rami Levy chain - an increase of 6.8 percent, the Tiv Taam and Saleh Dabah chains recorded no increase.
Attacks on the writers following the Home Front Command's announcement \\ Photo: Noam (Dabol) Dvir
The Home Front Command's directive on the need for emergency supplies, including water, canned goods, batteries and dry goods, led to attacks on the chains and stores.
Although most of the chains have canceled the traditional market days (of Tuesdays) today, and do not need to display prices on products due to the Fair Trade Authority's directive on not enforcing the provisions of the law that require the price of the product to be specified on it or on its packaging, and allows a sign to be displayed on the shelf.
These are also non-food products sold in food chains. In addition, the directive applies to products for which there has been a significant increase in demand - there is a trend of price increases that raises questions of exploitation and the rush to rake in profits.
Supermarket branches in Israel report shortages, photo: uncredited
The Consumer Council assembled a basket of 190 products based on Home Front Command guidelines for stocking up on water, dry goods and canned goods. Prices were checked on Tuesday versus Tuesday last week, a month ago on September 5 and two months ago on August 9 - prices include promotions except credit card deals. Total testing included 15 products (average of all chains). Friesz data. Statistical accompaniment Dr. Or Cape Ashkelon Academic College.
There is an increase of 1.5% compared to the price of the same basket "before the holidays", an increase of almost 4% in early September, and an increase of almost 3% compared to the price of the basket before the war.
Examples of increases (average of all networks).
• Elite Potato Crunch Potato Chips 50g – 23% increase from last week, NIS 4.13 on average vs. NIS 3.4.
• Green olives without seed, Yavne Group 560 grams – 19% increase from last week: 9.3 NIS vs. 7.8 NIS.
• Yellow Label Lipton Tea 100 sachets – an increase of 19% from last week, NIS 16 vs. NIS 13.5.
The increase according to selected chains was compared to prices last week.
Shufersal Deal chain – a total of 154 products – an increase of 4.5% in the total basket (NIS 118).
Victory chain – a total of 155 products – an increase of 3% in the total basket (NIS 80).
Rami Levy chain – a total of 155 products – an increase of 6.8% in the total basket (NIS 157).
Carrefour Market chain – a total of 169 products – an increase of 5.4% in the total basket (NIS 145).
Mega chain – a total of 156 products – an increase of 6.3% in the total basket (NIS 188).
Same product - more expensive
The gaps for the very same product can reach up to NIS 38.
• Similac milk-based formula 700 grams, sold at Rami Levy for 56.6 shekels, and bilo for 94.9 shekels. A gap of NIS 38 (68%).
• Caffeine-free freeze-dried instant coffee Tester's Choice 200g - 19.9 NIS In the chains there are in the neighborhood and there is kindness versus 50 NIS in the Yalo chain - 30 NIS difference (151%).
• Coca-Cola carbonated cola drink 6 * 1.5 liters - 35.2 NIS at the Victory chain versus 57.3 NIS at the Yalo chain, 22 NIS difference (63%).
The Consumer Council said: "We call on the supermarket chains not to take advantage of the demand in the circumstances in which the entire country finds itself, to raise prices, and to continue promotions on products. There is nothing worse than war, so the council believes that this is not the time to reap profits.
"This is conduct that is morally and commercially unreasonable. It was expected that now, of all times, the chains would have maximum consideration for consumers and that prices would be lowered."
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