OCU report highlights supermarket savings and rising fuel costs

A recent study by the Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU) reveals that Spanish households can save an average of 1,310 euros annually by choosing cheaper supermarket chains. The report, which analyzed over 100,000 prices across 690 establishments, identifies Alcampo (specifically in Aldaia, Valencia) and Coia (Vigo) as leading low-cost options, while Sánchez Romero in Madrid is noted as one of the most expensive. In Madrid, the potential savings between the cheapest and most expensive retailers can reach up to 4,381 euros per year.

While the annual increase in the cost of the analyzed shopping basket has moderated to 1.8%, fresh products have seen higher price hikes, particularly fish at 8.6%. The OCU warns that these figures may not yet fully reflect the economic impacts of the ongoing conflict in Iran.

Simultaneously, fuel costs are experiencing volatility. In Pacific County, US, gasoline prices have surged above $6 per gallon due to Middle East transportation bottlenecks. In Spain, regional variations in fuel prices continue, with specific low-cost stations identified in Andalusia and Tenerife.