The Groningen Observer
  • Home
  • Local
    • City Life
    • Domestic Affairs
  • International
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Culture
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • About
    • Our Vision
    • Our Team
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Groningen Observer
  • Home
  • Local
    • City Life
    • Domestic Affairs
  • International
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Culture
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • About
    • Our Vision
    • Our Team
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
The Groningen Observer
No Result
View All Result
Home Domestic Affairs

Shopping amnesia: a symptom of rising food prices

Alma Paunero Martorell by Alma Paunero Martorell
June 6, 2023
in Domestic Affairs, Local
Shopping amnesia: a symptom of rising food prices

The fruit isle at the Albert Heijn Brugstraat Groningen (Source: Alma Paunero Martorell)

Share on TwitterShare on Facebook

New year, new figures. 2023 has started with a wage increase that the Dutch labor market had not witnessed since 2008. This comes as a more than welcomed development since, despite the steady easing of inflation, an essential part of living has not been included: groceries. 

According to CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics in the Netherlands), the price of food continues to rise, challenging the country-wide trend of lowering general inflation. The seemingly unstoppable increases to the price tags in supermarkets worry families and vulnerable sectors of the population. 

Students are no exception. “I already work 3 days a week, but I have my studies to worry about too. I try to be smart when shopping but it’s like, it’s not enough,” says Stijn, a 23 year old student living in Groningen. 

Forgetting to scan items?

Joining a risky growing trend, Stijn is also forgetting to scan items, from his shopping basket. Most supermarkets, like Jumbo or Albert Heijn, employ self-scanners for a larger part of their sales. Which causes a ‘temptation’ for many students who are struggling to pay for their groceries.

“Can we talk about the price of blueberries?” Lena is yet another forgetful shopper who finds life in Groningen compared to her hometown in Germany, a challenge to keep a healthy lifestyle. For others like Marloes, a mother of three, groceries have become “tricky” and while she celebrates the increase of her pay role, her purchasing power remains limited.

Worsening economic conditions

Since the start of the war in Ukraine almost a year ago, the price of living has risen. Mostly due to the increases in costs on many products and necessities of everyday life, such as gas, petrol and wheat. Governmental initiatives such as gas bill subsidies or raising rates since last month aim to take some of the financial burden off the citizen’s shoulders. But for now, these efforts appear to be of little help when it comes to buying breakfast.

“Every week we get a pile of new price tags, most are becoming more expensive.” Says Paul. He’s been an employee at Lidl for many years and witnesses the staggering increases on a routine basis. He also encounters many cases of shoplifting, especially since self-checkouts were installed in his store. “One time a person was standing right next to me and was grabbing a lot of big size meat packages. In total, he had around 100 euros worth of meat in his bag,” Paul says.

Purchasing power on the mend

The report published on CBS on inflation rate and consumer prices is labelled as a ‘flash estimate’ by the bureau themselves and further reports will be published in the days to come. Nevertheless, there are reasons to be optimistic about the purchasing power. Economists argue that the slowing down of inflation rates on many sectors is likely to positively impact price tags at grocery stores, slowly bringing them back down. Another question is whether the growing trend of shopping amnesia will continue after this.

Inflation Rate: Consumer Price Index. Netherlands. Source: CBS 2023.
Tags: BudgetGroceriesInflationTheftWages
Previous Post

Dutch royal family visit Caribbean Netherlands, but not everyone waves back

Next Post

GGD Groningen gives out free HPV vaccinations for youths of all genders

Alma Paunero Martorell

Alma Paunero Martorell

Alma Paunero Martorell (she/her) ES - From Valencia,Spain. Studying International Relations, she fell in love with journalism. Active in several associations. Always happy and eager to talk and express her views, you will certainly enjoy conversing with her. Her perfect smile will win you over.

Related Posts

Groningen ranks 3rd worst province in bee deaths
Business

Ukraine Food: Supporting Ukraine one meal at a time

September 25, 2023
The Dutch Roulette of study loans: who gets the money?
Domestic Affairs

The Dutch Roulette of study loans: who gets the money?

August 30, 2023
Not all refugees are welcomed to The Netherlands
Domestic Affairs

Not all refugees are welcomed to The Netherlands

August 30, 2023
“The chaos” behind asylum seekers in The Netherlands. Do Dutch people have a double standard for refugees?
Domestic Affairs

“The chaos” behind asylum seekers in The Netherlands. Do Dutch people have a double standard for refugees?

August 30, 2023
Mass industry crushes small businesses: crocheting by Jie Yan
Business

Mass industry crushes small businesses: crocheting by Jie Yan

August 17, 2023
Groningen ranks 3rd worst province in bee deaths
Domestic Affairs

Groningen ranks 3rd worst province in bee deaths

July 24, 2023
Next Post
GGD Groningen gives out free HPV vaccinations for youths of all genders

GGD Groningen gives out free HPV vaccinations for youths of all genders

Recent News

International Criminal Court delivers on promise to highlight sexual abuse in Sudan case

International Criminal Court delivers on promise to highlight sexual abuse in Sudan case

July 5, 2024
Of Hope and Truth: A Mormon Girl’s Journey out of Religion

Of Hope and Truth: A Mormon Girl’s Journey out of Religion

July 5, 2024
Aftermath and context of floods in Derna, Libya

Aftermath and context of floods in Derna, Libya

October 24, 2023
Groningen ranks 3rd worst province in bee deaths

Ukraine Food: Supporting Ukraine one meal at a time

September 25, 2023
  • Home
  • Local
  • International
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Culture
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
E-mail: groningen.observer@gmail.com

© 2022 The Groningen Observer - News on the GO

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Local
    • City Life
    • Domestic Affairs
  • International
  • Business
  • Sports
  • Culture
  • Feature
  • Opinion
  • About
    • Our Vision
    • Our Team
  • Contact

© 2022 The Groningen Observer - News on the GO