A drop of 587 euros for the spending of a couple with 2 children. These are the UNC data that explain how the economic crisis has affected the spending of Italian families.
The retail landscape in Italy shows signs of stagnation, with a significant impact on the spending habits of Italian families. The recent statements by Massimiliano Dona, president of the National Consumers Union (UNC), shed light on a worrying situation which sees a marked drop in family food spending.
As reported by Dona, the country appears to be navigating stagnant waters, with retail sales showing no signs of recovery once the effect of lower inflation is excluded. “The country is at a standstill and sales remain at a standstill if we consider the data excluding the effect of the drop in inflation,” says the president of the UNC. This situation does not only concern the food sector but also extends to the non-food sector, although in the latter case sales remained stable in April 2023.
Impact on food spending
The contraction in sales has a direct reflection on the budget dedicated to food spending by Italian families. A study conducted by the National Consumers Union reveals how the reduction in volumes consumed translates into a significant decrease in annual spending on food products. For an average family, this drop represents 422 euros less to spend on food on an annual basis at 2023 prices.
The situation becomes even more critical when analyzing data relating to larger families. A couple with two children registers a decrease in food expenditure equal to 587 euros per year, while for those with only one child the reduction is 532 euros. These figures highlight how the economic slowdown and the consequent contraction in retail sales have tangible effects on the purchasing power and quality of life of Italian families.
The alarm raised by the National Consumers Union requires particular attention from the institutions and economic actors involved. The need to stimulate economic recovery is becoming increasingly urgent to avoid further negative repercussions on consumption habits and the ability of families to meet daily needs.
The country is looking for ways out of the current economic stagnation, and it is therefore essential to adopt effective measures that can relaunch retail trade and support Italian families in their daily commitment to balanced management of the domestic budget.
