Prices at shopping carts in Spain have climbed this year, and trends point to higher costs in the coming months. A national consumer group analyzes yearly grocery prices across supermarkets and finds that even with the uptick, households can save by choosing the right place to shop. The organization estimates that a typical family could save around €994 annually by picking a more affordable workplace for groceries, a figure that reflects about 7.3% less expenditure than the previous year due to greater price consistency across chains. The emphasis is on narrowing the gap between the cheapest and the most expensive options, even as overall prices rise. This saving, the group notes, translates into roughly a 17.5% reduction in a typical food budget and helps families maintain footing as costs increase. The analysis highlights chains that consistently offer lower prices, particularly those with a strong local footprint in regions like Castilla y León and Granada, while noting national players such as Family Cash, Alcampo, and Supeco as affordable options. On the other hand, the study flags brands like Sanchez Romero, Ulabox, Novavenda, and Amazon as among the more expensive choices.
Across the year, the price tracking by the consumer group shows that prices have risen since 1988 levels, with a study covering 239 products recording a 15.2% increase from May last year to July this year, and an average household expenditure of about €5,568. A key caveat is that the rise continued into the summer. A shorter survey conducted during the last four months revealed a further 0.9% increase, underscoring how quickly prices can move in a relatively short period of time.
The inflation picture shows price increases ranging roughly from 10% to 15% across many chains, though some outlets have climbed even more. Notably, Mercadona led the increases, followed by groups Day – Dia & Go, La Plaza de Dia, and Dia a Dia, all exceeding the broader consumer price index for the period. The analysis explains that this pattern is linked to the rise in both manufacturer brands and private label products, especially in supermarkets that rely heavily on private label offerings. In contrast, chains with smaller increases include Alimerka, Carrefour Express, and BM Urban, which posted more modest upticks.
Regional differences add another layer to the savings equation. In large urban centers such as Madrid and Alcobendas, opportunities to save are greater than in smaller towns like Cuenca, Segovia, or Pontevedra. In the capital, price variations between outlets could add up to several thousand euros annually, while in Cuenca the potential saving tops out around €485. The geography of supply, assortment, and competition explains why major cities often feature a wider mix of price points, unlocking more substantial discounts for savvy shoppers.
The cheapest supermarket in Spain remains a familiar name in larger formats, with Alcampo stores in several major cities consistently presenting low costs. In particular, Alcampo locations in Vigo, Murcia, and other cities frequently emerge as the most affordable options online as well as in brick-and-mortar stores. The discount chain Spar also appears among the least expensive choices in certain regions like Badajoz and Cáceres. The most expensive establishment remains Sánchez Romero on Arturo Soria Street in Madrid. Across the country, Alcampo is identified as the least expensive option in many cities, including Alicante, Almería, Gijón, Oviedo, Barcelona, Badalona-Santa Coloma, Hospitalet-Baix Llobregat, Jerez de la Frontera, Castellón de la Plana, Cuenca, Granada, Huesca, Palma de Mallorca, San Sebastián, La Coruña, Logroño, Las Palmas, Madrid, Marbella, Murcia, Vigo, Soria, Teruel, Toledo, Valencia, and Zaragoza, both online and offline, compared with 23 locations the year before. Mercadona is noted as the most affordable option in the other locations, with a growing footprint that includes cities such as Bilbao, Barakaldo, Pamplona, Ourense, Alcobendas-San Sebastián de los Reyes, Lérida, Huelva, and Vitoria.”