Inflation in Germany has intensified again and is nearing the three percent mark. This is leading many consumers to adjust their shopping behavior. Weekly grocery shopping is becoming more expensive, and people are increasingly saving on restaurant visits and mobility. The war in Iran is driving energy prices, which directly affects consumers.
Marco Wenzel, manager of an Edeka store in Kassel, reports an increase in demand for special offers and affordable private labels. He has already stocked larger quantities of entry-level private brands, as many customers are looking for cheaper alternatives. “I always check where the red labels are,” says a customer in the HR market magazine mex.
The changes in shopping behavior are not just temporary. According to market researcher Petra Süptitz from YouGov, consumers are now significantly more likely to choose private labels and shop at discount stores. Many are planning their meals around offers, indicating that this behavior has become firmly established since the record inflation of 2022, which reached nearly seven percent.
Consumers are more conscious of prices and have maintained their saving strategies since the major inflation wave of 2022. This trend could have long-term effects on retail and product prices.
