Valencian officials are negotiating with supermarkets to connect announced measures that aim to lower the cost of a shopping cart, a plan confirmed by sources from the Consell and the business sector. The crisis is being addressed due to the persistent rise in prices. The final agreement still leaves questions about how the aid will be delivered, which families will receive it, and how much supermarkets and small businesses will share in distributing it. The mechanism by which the money will ease family shopping costs has not yet been finalized.
If a definitive agreement is not signed, the Public Administration would likely assume that a large portion of the cost will be carried by the administration, with the rest by the private sector, according to associations representing community supermarkets and large distribution companies. The measure was announced by the President of the Generalitat, Ximo Puig, after months of negotiations, but there remains a long road to implementation. The final terms are still incomplete, with several details to resolve through continued discussions.
From the moment the measure was introduced, comparisons with the model proposed by the French government did not hold. However, the sources cited by this newspaper indicate that the Valencian plan would be a social bonus and would differ significantly from the French approach.
Differences with the French model
The French model envisions supermarkets offering basic foods at fixed, reduced prices. Chains in neighboring France have agreed to provide essential goods at the lowest possible price for three months. That French approach has influenced national initiatives to begin stabilizing prices, though it remains a point of debate within the executive. In contrast, the Valencian plan focuses on providing a monthly discount to families, particularly the most disadvantaged, with an expected reduction of about thirty euros per month per family.
It is suggested that the measure could yield a discount of up to thirty euros per month for each family. Note to readers: attribution for this projection comes from ongoing discussions among the negotiating parties.
From the Valencian Business Confederation, it is stated that the final contribution from each party is not yet determined. The view among some groups is that these bonuses must not unduly impact small businesses or consumers. Other sources emphasize that activation systems will be required to identify potential beneficiaries for these aids.
The Generalitat estimates that at least a fifth of families in the community struggle to cope with rising shopping costs. On paper, the measure proposes thirty euros per month per family, potentially affecting around 150,000 people. However, business sources consulted by this newspaper note that such figures are not yet fixed and negotiations continue.
Consumers
The President of the Alicante Consumers Union, Cecilio, reassured readers that such bonds tend to stimulate economic activity whenever local governments implement similar measures to support businesses. Regarding food prices, he advocates strengthening direct relationships between consumers and producers and reducing intermediary roles where possible. One path to fairer pricing is to support organizations that sell directly to consumers at the source, minimizing price increases driven by intermediaries. He emphasizes responsible consumption and the idea that people should focus on essential needs and avoid unnecessary excesses.