In Alicante, the latest inflationary pressures are being driven by a rise in food costs alongside electricity bills, continuing a pattern that has tightened household budgets. The newest figures from the National Institute of Statistics show the Consumer Price Index climbed by 1.2 percent in February, with a year over year increase of 6.3 percent. Source: INE.
Food and non-alcoholic beverages showed a noticeable monthly uptick of 2.2 percent, underscoring that the VAT reduction in consumer carts did not achieve the intended relief for shoppers. These items have surged by at least 16.9 percent compared with the previous year, signaling persistent price momentum in essentials. Source: INE.
Electricity and other fuels also rose, up 3.9 percent in the month after a period of steadiness, although they still registered a year‑over‑year decline around 9.9 percent. This reflects a mixed pattern where energy costs contribute to near-term inflation while retaining some longer-term easing compared with last year. Source: INE.
Among the components showing increases this February, the index highlights alcoholic beverages and tobacco at 1.6 percent, entertainment and culture at 1.5 percent, and hotels and restaurants at 1 percent. Conversely, transportation fell by 0.8 percent and clothing and footwear by 0.5 percent, illustrating shifting price pressures across different sectors. Source: INE.