Alfonso Rodríguez Sánchez, president of the Consubal consumers association in the Balearics, says that shoppers in the Balearics are replacing fresh products with frozen ones because they are cheaper and are buying "unhealthy" cuts of meat that contain a lot of fat. "People in the Balearics are no longer eating what they want but what they can."
IRI Worldwide, a data analysis company, made a presentation at a recent conference about fresh product purchasing and reported that there has been a fall in the volume of purchases of fresh products in Spain this year. This has been notably greater than that for all other consumer products. Seafood, fish and vegetables are the fresh categories most affected by the fall in sales.
"The current context is leading consumers to austerity purchasing behaviours that we experienced in the '70s and '80s and that are the result of inflation fatigue," explained the commercial director of IRI Worldwide, Antonio Khalaf.
Rodríguez adds that consumers in the Balearics are increasingly turning to white brands, that far more pasta is being consumed, that more bread is being bought, especially the poorest quality, and that "industrial pastries" are replacing fresh fruit in children's snacks. Moreover, very few zero-kilometre products are being purchased because "they are very expensive". "Every day we have a less healthy diet and we are going to notice that in our health in the short to medium term."
Despite constraints on purchasing, he explains that an average family of four is now spending about 135 euros a week on basic purchases and without buying fresh fish, while a year ago the same family could buy more fresh and higher quality products and spend around 90 euros.
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David HollandAs a longtime veteran of Mallorca tourism, i can confidently reiterate a quietly held understanding within the accommodation side of the business (generally applies globally, not just here)... Those who pay the lowest price are the most likely to be dissatisfied. It applies to many businesses, not just hotels. Look at Ryanair for example. Widespread dissatisfaction. Yet they keep coming back. So, when a hotel or STR considers dropping prices, there's always that little hesitation because they're more likely to receive dissatisfied guests. And that translates into lower public ratings. And that's costly. Despite the bad press Airbnb often receives, you might want to reconsider private lets as an alternative to hotels. Many, if not most, provide a better value in terms of overall quality of accommodation than hotels (for a given price point). For example, a hotel might cost €100 per night. You get a 20 sq. meter room with a balcony (if you're lucky). Yes, you might get a buffet breakfast of edible quality, and you might be right next door to bars and restaurants. Ok, fair enough. An STR (Airbnb or other) is a different animal. It's a home. For 100€ per night, you could get a 140sq meter home, with 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, a pool, a decent kitchen... And many are well decorated and charming too. It's like having a home away from home rather than a small hotel room. Some aren't that great, but their ratings are reflective of that. And they can't command the prices of those that are very good (you get what you pay for) . And you can shop locally at normal, non-tourist-resort prices, which are often half the price or less. Restaurant prices are certainly much lower as soon as you leave the resorts, and the quality tends to be much better. Many people have converted to holiday lets instead of resort hotels (they're extremely popular in Mallorca... year round). The reason you might not know that is because you likely only search for hotels, and likely, only in popular resorts. You won't get the better holiday lets in those search results. You have to search specifically for them. Airbnb just happens to have the world's largest catalogue. But there's other platforms.
Morgan WilliamsMust admit I haven’t used or intend to use ab&b. I would agree that most small hotels in Majorca are much better value than the U.K. equivalent, in my experience anyway by some margin. But like all things you get what you pay for. Chose carefully. On the whole service in general is better in Majorca and most Europe in general than in the U.K… as an Italian pal of mine who ran a businesses for many years in Newcastle , Dave the Brits don’t do service. You’ll know the rule for honey pots prices. A couple of streets back you get local prices. Saint mark square, against Rialto .. Port andriax prices are similar if not cheaper than my home town for equivalent food and certainly wine and beer.. and surprisingly cheaper than Pagurea. The world over you pay or do without that’s the reality. That said the most expensive meal , drinks or holiday you have irrespective of price paid. Is a one that your not satisfied. Cheap is not always good value, expensive isn’t always a guarantee of quality.
David HollandOne observation I've seen consistently that always results in a bit of facepalm, is hotels and Airbnb's in the UK. What you get for £100 per night is usually pretty second rate. Small, old, not the cleanest, not well maintained, uncomfortable beds. But for a couple of nights, its ok. And the people hosting are nice enough. It just appears to be a difference in standards at any given price point. Yet you do hear screaming from Brits about the high prices and poor value of accommodation in Mallorca, which generally exceed the value of what you get in the UK like-for-like, often by orders of magnitude. I suspect it might be that Brits don't often stay in British accommodation, and wouldn't know (?)
If you look what Eroski is asking for simple products I would say one Spaniard is ripping of the other. The prices in Little for fresh products are way better and the quality often better as well. If your priority is to eat rabbit asses, stews and fat food Mallorca is the place to be. Local Bars and Restaurants are still full of beer drinking and football watching locals.. Advise. Don't close the season in Oct but keep serving tourists. Not everyone lobes baking in 40 degree
David HollandIn the same way Brits rightfully say that the Spanish 'don't get tea' ie don't know how to make it, you struggle to get a decent coffee in the UK, even if you pay through the nose for it. London is generally better, but like you say the big chains are clueless. Half a pint of brown water for £3!!!
Zoltan TeglasZoltan In the U.K. the only place you’ll get a decent coffee for 1.3 euros is to make it yourself. That is if you can get a decent coffee in the big chains that plague our high streets. You’ll know the ones they sell 100s of coffees without any coffee in them. Ugh . You might get a decent cup in smaller independent places, but £3.. plus depending on location.
I was in the UK recently and didn't pay less than £3 for a coffee. In my local cafe in Palma it's €1.30. It's bull**** that the UK is cheaper than Mallorca.
Stephen PerrimanI've just been travelling around Europe and the US. Not one place I travelled was less expensive than Mallorca, and in most cases, prices were double to triple that of Mallorca. So, you're suggesting that despite the inflational economic abyss the UK finds itself in, somehow miraculously it's cheaper than even Mallorca? You wouldn't by chance happen to be one of those who only shops at "British shops" (at triple the price) to ensure you get good "British quality"? Is that why you think it's expensive here?
ummmm ......for all that..i see the LOTTERY SHOPS are ALWAYS FULL...!!! so much for "cant afford that food ..." !!!!
Not surprisingly people in Majorca are cutting back as prices here seem almost double those of the UK, which I noticed in my last visit in October. IT’s EROSKI own brands for me too.