1. General Trend: Despite a slight strengthening of the ruble against the dollar and euro compared to the previous month, prices for many goods, particularly basic foodstuffs and lower-cost items, 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: Doubled in price (from 60 to 120 rubles/kg for the cheapest variety), with significantly reduced selection.
* Barilla pasta: Increased from 90 to 119 rubles.
* Coffee (Lavazza Oro): Regular price increased, although it was on sale.
* Cocoa (Zolotoy Yarlyk): Rose from 140 to 190 rubles.
* Oatmeal (Monastyrskaya): Increased from 70 to 98 rubles.
* Milk (Prostokvashino): Rose from 100 to 120 rubles per bottle.
* Butter (Vologodskoye): Packaging size decreased (from 180g to 160g) and price increased (from 240 to 300 rubles) - noting shrinkflation.
* 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).
3. Price Decreases/Stability:
* Flour (Predportovaya): Decreased from 140 to 105 rubles for 2 kg.
* Rice (O'Key brand): Decreased from 105 to 96 rubles.
* Pasta (O'Key store brand): Slightly cheaper (down to 23 rubles).
* Produce (seasonal): Bananas (down to 130), oranges (down to 90), kiwi (down to 230), some apple varieties became cheaper.
* Personal Care (branded): Old Spice, Gillette, Garnier, Biorepair prices mostly stable.
* Cheeses (expensive): President, Natura – prices largely stable or slightly lower (possibly due to sales).
* Cleaning Supplies: Domestos, Fairy (liquid), Tide, Ushasty Nyan (powder) – prices stable or reduced due to promotions.
4. Inflation Pattern: It appears inflation is hitting basic, low-cost goods hardest, items that form the core of the consumer basket. Premium or imported goods, meanwhile, might show more price stability or even decreases (often due to sales/promotions).
5. Assortment Issues: The absence of regular last-year's cabbage and original Coca-Cola, along with the limited potato selection, may indicate supply chain problems or changes in the store's stocking policy.
6. Currency Rate vs. Prices Discrepancy: The strengthening of the ruble did not translate into noticeable price reductions for most goods in this particular store.
Overall Conclusion: The cost of living, judging by the prices of essential goods at O'Key, continues to rise. This is particularly evident with sugar and potatoes. While some items have become cheaper (often due to sales or seasonality), the overall picture indicates ongoing inflationary pressure on consumers' wallets.
