Retail shop prices in Poland increased by an average of 3.9% year-on-year in July 2024, according to a report by UCE Research and WSB Merito University. This marks a continued acceleration in price growth, following increases of 3.1% in June and 2.9% in May.
The report analyzed 69,100 prices across 31,800 retail shops, revealing that everyday purchases became notably more expensive in July. The data highlights a consistent rise in prices, with 13 out of 17 monitored categories showing increases. Non-alcoholic beverages saw the steepest price hike, rising by 15.6% year-on-year. Other significant increases were recorded in food supplements (11.2%), sweets and desserts (9.3%), household chemicals (8.7%), and bread (6.4%).
Conversely, four categories experienced price declines, including fatty foods (-8.1%), dry goods (-7.4%), vegetables (-5.6%), and pet food (-0.5%).
The report’s authors noted that the trend of rising retail prices aligns with the broader inflationary pressures observed in recent months. “This observation is in line with the general increase in inflation recorded in recent months. These developments do not come as a particular surprise to economists. Evidently, we can already speak of a slow but clear reversal of the trend since April, the main reason for which was the unfreezing of VAT rates on food,” commented Dr. Tomasz Kopyściański of WSB Merito University.
The ‘Retail Price Index’ survey tracked 17 categories and over 100 of the most commonly purchased everyday products. The study compiled more than 69,100 retail prices from over 31,800 shops belonging to 52 retail chains.
