1. General Trend: Despite a slight strengthening of the ruble against the dollar and euro compared to the previous month, prices for many goods, especially basic foodstuffs and the cheaper segment, continued to rise. Hopes for price stabilization or reduction were not fully realized.
2. Significant Price Increases:
* Sugar: Price nearly doubled (from 60 to 90 rubles/kg).
* Potatoes: Price doubled (from 60 to 120 rubles/kg for the cheapest), assortment significantly reduced.
* Barilla Pasta: Increased from 90 to 119 rubles.
* Coffee (Lavazza Oro): Regular price increased, although there was a promotion.
* Cocoa (Zolotoy Yarlyk): Increased from 140 to 190 rubles.
* Oatmeal (Monastyrskaya): Increased from 70 to 98 rubles.
* Milk (Prostokvashino): Increased from 100 to 120 rubles per bottle.
* Butter (Vologodskoye): Packaging size decreased (from 180g to 160g) and price increased (from 240 to 300 rubles).
* Pork: Increased from 349 to 360 rubles/kg.
* Red Caviar: Continues to get more expensive.
* Coca-Cola (imported, Azerbaijan): Very high price (334 rubles for 2L).
* Charcoal (3kg): Increased from 360 to 429 rubles.
* Suitcase: Increased from 4500 to 5999 rubles.
* Gillette Shaving Foam: Increased from 219 to 229 rubles.
* Old Spice Deodorant: Increased from 339 to 379 rubles.
* Nivea Care Cream: Increased from 369 to 449 rubles.
* Kobi Water (1L): Increased from 64 to 72 rubles.
* Mont Blanc Vodka (0.7L): Increased from 1860 to 1999 rubles.
* Legendario Rum (0.7L): Increased from 2610 to 3039 rubles.
* Red Pasta: Increased from 369 to 406 rubles.
* Mistral Quinoa: Increased from 329 to 359 rubles.
* Mistral Farmer's Buckwheat: Increased from 134 to 149 rubles.
* S.Pudov Peanut Flour: Increased from 249 to 289 rubles.
* Alyonka Chocolate Bar (small): Increased from 21 to 23 rubles.
* Rioba Chocolate (1kg bag): Increased from 1299 to 1359 rubles.
* Ritter Sport Chocolate (100g): Increased from 130 to 157 rubles.
* Natty's Chocolate Spread: Increased from 389 to 409 rubles.
* Vkusnoteevo Cottage Cheese 9%: Increased from 189 to 199 rubles.
* Connétable Sardines: Increased from 299 to 329 rubles.
* Petelinka Minced Meat: Increased from 189 to 208 rubles.
* Pork Carbonade (kg): Increased from 380 to 429 rubles.
* Red Onion (kg): Increased from 279 to 349 rubles.
* Red Grapes (kg): Increased from 480 to 531 rubles.
* Black Tea (loose, 500g): Sharply increased from 69 to 149 rubles.
* Tide Powder (450g): Increased from 74 to 80 rubles.
* Finish Dishwasher Powder (1kg): Increased from 700 to 789 rubles.
* Parmesan Cheese (kg): Increased from 1250 to 1399 rubles.
* Greek Olives/Antipasti: Increased from 429 to 459 rubles.
3. Price Decreases/Stability:
* Flour (Predportovaya): Decreased from 140 to 105 rubles for 2 kg.
* Rice (O'Key): Decreased from 105 to 96 rubles.
* Pasta (O'Key own brand): Slightly decreased (to 23 rubles).
* Vegetables/Fruits (seasonal): Bananas (to 130), oranges (to 90), kiwi (to 230), some apples became cheaper.
* Personal Care Products (branded): Old Spice, Gillette, Garnier, Biorepair mostly stable.
* Cheeses (expensive): President, Natura – prices mostly stable or slightly decreased (possibly due to promotions).
* Cleaning Supplies: Domestos, Fairy (liquid), Tide, Ushasty Nyan (powder) – prices stable or decreased due to promotions.
* Gas Grill: Decreased from 200,000 to 160,000 rubles.
* Expensive Whiskeys (Lagavulin, Kilchoman): Prices decreased, partly due to promotions.
* De Cecco Gnocchi Pasta: Decreased from 319 to 209 rubles.
* Scotti Risotto Carnaroli Rice: Decreased from 449 to 409 rubles.
* Ekomilk Chocolate Butter: Decreased from approx. 280 to 229 rubles.
* Marinated White Mushrooms: Decreased from 550 to 509 rubles.
* Canned Beef Stew (promo price): Decreased from 340 to 289 rubles.
* "Russkoe More" Lightly Salted Salmon: Decreased from 679 to 569 rubles.
* "Meridian" Herring in a Jar: Decreased from 246 to 219 rubles.
* Perch and Sturgeon: Prices decreased.
* Frozen Raspberries (300g): Decreased from 240 to 199 rubles.
* Chicken Eggs: Decreased from 94 to 90 rubles.
* Shallots: Decreased from 189 to 159 rubles per net.
* Persil Gel (2.6L): Decreased from 900 to 749 rubles.
* Finish Dishwasher Salt (3kg): Decreased from 459 to 419 rubles.
* Oldenburger Pesto Cheese (promo price): Decreased from ~1300 to 1149/kg.
* Charcoal Starter Bucket (999 rubles), Oral-B Brush Heads (1499 rubles), Evian Water (224 rubles), Borjomi Water (149.90 rubles), Mistral Jasmine Rice (259 rubles), Mistral Chickpeas (239 rubles), Mistral Green Mung Beans (178 rubles), S.Pudov Coconut Flour (249 rubles), Kushani Rice Flour (109 rubles), French Flour (114 rubles), Rioba Sugar (regular 89.90/kg and portioned 849 rubles), Saf-instant Yeast (319 rubles), Callebaut Chocolate (22999/10kg), Harry's Bread (109 rubles), Green Olives (549 rubles), Lyulya-kebab (469 rubles), Gouda Cheese (769/kg), Velikoluksky Maasdam Cheese (~1209/kg), President Ghee (359 rubles), Planto Non-dairy Milk (179 rubles), Fresh Berries (currants, raspberries at 499 rubles), Ushasty Nyan Powder (91.90 rubles), Kirotel Degreaser (449/5L): Prices remained stable.
4. Inflation Pattern: It appears that inflation is hitting basic, cheaper goods harder, which form the core of the consumer basket, while premium or imported goods may show greater stability or even decreases (often due to promotions).
5. Assortment Issues: The absence of regular old-harvest cabbage and original Coca-Cola, as well as the limited choice of potatoes, may indicate supply problems or changes in assortment policy.
6. Mismatch between Exchange Rate and Prices: The strengthening of the ruble did not lead to a noticeable decrease in prices for most goods in this particular store.
General Conclusion: The cost of living, judging by the prices of basic goods at "METRO", continues to rise, particularly noticeable with sugar and potatoes. Although some items are becoming cheaper (often due to promotions or seasonality), the overall picture indicates continued inflationary pressure on consumers' wallets.
Based on May Comparative Review
