As reported this Thursday, January 11, the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INDEC), December inflation accelerated to 33-year highs, registering 25.5 percent, that is, double the previous month (12.8 percent). Throughout 2023, the CPI reached 211.4 percent, more than double the 94.8 percent accumulated in 2022and the highest number since 1990 (1,343.9 percent). This value exceeds Venezuela, which has an estimated 193 percent.
After the 54 percent devaluation of the peso and the deregulation of the economy, promoted by the incoming government of Javier Milei, These numbers were among the estimates of several analysts. At the same time, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) monthly is the highest since the exit from hyperinflation, in February 1991, when the price variation increased by 27 percent.
Of course, these figures are reflected on the shelves of supermarkets and stores. Mass consumption grocery products suffered an impact on their prices for the final consumer. Week after week, businesses update values and this has an impact on your pocket. But, it is also observed that not all merchants use the same criteria when establishing numbers.
A current, and almost anecdotal, phenomenon can be seen with the prices of products from supermarket chains and pharmacy chains. Based on the data published on the websites of these businesses, it can be verified comparatively how the same products have different prices, in some cases four times more. For the most part, the highest numbers correspond to pharmaceutical chains.
For years, the main pharmacy chains have added personal use products that were offered by supermarkets to their counters, and then to their brand new shelves. An example of the deviation, in the price value, can be seen with the Johnson’s Baby Shampoo for light hair 200 ml, On the website of a supermarket it is being offered at 1,466.68 pesos while on the website of one of the main pharmacy chains the same product is seen at 11,574.50 pesos.
The toothpaste Colgate Sensitive Pro Relief per 110 g It is another of the products with a huge difference in price. In the pharmaceutical chain, the toothpaste has a value of 4,780.50 pesos, while the same toothpaste of the same brand can be obtained in the supermarket store for 1,135.75 pesos.
In terms of coffee, the method of preparation with capsules is the trend. The Super Cabrales Capsules of 10 of 55g in supermarkets are available for 4,980.66 pesos, while the same in pharmaceutical chains are available for 7,176.00 pesos.
With the arrival of summer, sunscreens are on the rise. He Dermaglós Sunscreen SPF 65 x 90 g It is offered in pharmaceutical chains at 10,932 pesos while in supermarkets the same sunscreen, of the same brand and factor, is at 8,609.25 pesos.
Mouthwashes are essential for gum care. The Colgate brand innovated with its new variant Colgate Total 12 Carbon Zero Mouthwash x 500 ml which can be purchased in pharmacies for 7,982 pesos or in supermarkets for only 5,600 pesos.
Diapers are always a high-cost expense. Although compared to other products the difference is not so noticeable, buying them in a pharmacy chain Pampers Baby Dry Hypoallergenic Diapers They cost 22,212 pesos, while purchasing the same brand in a supermarket costs 18,000 pesos.
Finally, prestobarbas are within the price differences. The shaver Gillette Proshield Rechargeable In pharmacies they cost 13,033 pesos while in supermarket chains they cost 9,750 pesos.
It is notable that the cost of the vast majority of products linked to body care, both for men, women and children; in pharmaceutical chains, have a price value that is generally 20 percent higher than that of supermarkets. Even in some particular products, the value exceeds 50 percent. But, finally, the decision of where to buy will always rest with the consumer.
by RN
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