According to research conducted by the Institute of Retail Consumer Goods Research (IELKA), supermarket prices in Greece decreased by 0.35% in June 2025 compared to May 2025. The findings also indicate that inflation in supermarket chains stood at +1.78% in June 2025 year-on-year, down from 2.47% in May 2025.
The rolling 12-month period from July 2024 to June 2025 recorded a stable price level with a minimal increase of +0.25%. Overall, the first half of 2025 has seen mild inflationary pressures at 1.13%, primarily attributed to international increases in raw materials such as cocoa, meat, and coffee.
In June 2025, compared to June 2024, the most significant price declines were observed in the categories of detergents and cleaning supplies (-8.28%), grocery foods (-5.40%), paper products, cosmetics & personal hygiene (-3.13%), appetizers, spreads & served items (-2.72%), and pet foods & supplies (-0.52%).
On the other hand, the largest price increases were recorded in fresh meats (+10.80%), biscuits, chocolates & confectionery (+10.19%), fresh fruits & vegetables (+7.55%), frozen goods (+2.74%), and dairy & refrigerated juices (+2.22%).
IELKA attributes the decline in detergent and grocery prices to the reduced cost of olive oil. The rise in fresh meat prices is due to a reduction in livestock numbers in 2024 caused by animal diseases across several regions, along with increased international prices for imported items, particularly beef and pork—most of which are imported into Greece.
International cocoa and coffee prices have also influenced the price increases in sweets and beverages. Higher prices for fresh fruits and vegetables are linked to weather conditions, with lower temperatures in 2025 compared to 2024 affecting production timelines.
Several factors contribute to the broader price stability in supermarkets:
– **Inflation De-Escalation:** Large food retailers have maintained price control over the past 18 months due to high product volumes, economies of scale, technological readiness, and private-label products.
– **Government Institutional Interventions:** Supermarket chains operate under strict regulatory frameworks. A new code of ethics for promotional activities was implemented in March 2025.
– **Offers and Discounts:** Promotions and discounts in organized retail channels have become more frequent and intense, impacting final product prices.
– **High Inventory Turnover:** Price restraint appears more rapidly in large stores due to faster inventory turnover.
– **Private Label Products:** Private label product sales have grown in major supermarket chains, offering a wider range of SKUs and contributing to pricing flexibility.