Rome supermarkets launch grocery installment plans as families strain

A major supermarket chain in Rome has introduced a payment‑by‑installment service for everyday food items. Customers can defer payment for 30 days, split the bill into three interest‑free installments, or opt for a longer financing plan of six to twelve months, all managed through a smartphone app. The scheme is marketed as a way to ease cash‑flow pressures for households waiting for salaries or pensions.

Union officials say the offering signals a deepening cost‑of‑living crisis. CGIL Lazio secretary Natale Di Cola noted that installments, once reserved for cars and appliances, are now being used for bread, milk and pasta, highlighting the strain on low‑ and middle‑income families. Recent surveys indicate that more than 30 % of Roman households have cut back on essential goods and 45 % struggle to pay monthly bills. While the service may provide short‑term relief, critics warn it could increase household debt and mask the underlying economic hardship.