About this and rising food prices in San Marino
In recent weeks, various articles have appeared and the latest interventions of the San Marino Consumers Union (UCS) and the CSDL trade union on the theme of autumn trends in the Republic of San Marino. It was underlined that, in the light of the data provided by the Statistical Office of the Republic of San Marino, the incidence rate in our country would be more than double compared to the general Italian data and more specifically also compared to that of Rimini. In particular, this inflationary figure is attributed to the increase in food prices. The ALIMENTARE LA SOCIALE GROUP, which is one of the main referents in the distribution sector in the Republic of San Marino, expected that in the face of such a striking figure, in our opinion somewhat improbable, there must then have been subsequent interventions aimed at clarifying the situation real. The only intervention we recorded was that of some exponents of the Congress of State who have, in fact, denied the findings of the San Marino Statistical Office, pointing out as more reliable the data of the International Monetary Fund, which evaluates the San Marino area as inferior. to the Italian one. Since it would be advisable for this controversy to return to the attention of public opinion, it would have resulted with a sure result that it would have been a real damage to the San Marino economy, that it would have been opportune to definitively clarify which actually the real data are safe. Incidentally, although our corporate group is one of the main food distribution groups in the Republic, we do not register any data from the San Marino Statistics Office at our points of sale. In any case, as has already been done in the past, our corporate group has provided its own sampling of thirty-nine consumer products of the same brand and type, purchased at our LA SOCIALE DISOUNT store in Valdragone and at a well-known HYPERMARKET in the neighboring area. The two receipts of goods regularly purchased, with the exclusion of provisional offers and promotions, gave the following result: total purchase receipt LA SOCIALE DISOUNT euro 78.17; total purchase receipt HYPERMARKET € 87.84. So 9.67 euros less for purchases made at our San Marino store, which corresponds to about 11% savings. An example of a specific comparison: BARILLA PASTA price 500 gr. € 0.97 at DISCOUNTI LA SOCIALE; price BARILLA PASTA 500 gr. at the HYPERMARKET € 1.05. The originals of the receipts in question are available for consultation at our administrative offices. Now, it seems quite evident that the figure of our San Marino represented by the UC foodstuffs and the CSDL cannot be considered an absolute reference value for the foodstuffs marketS and the CSDL cannot be considered an absolute reference value in the Republic of San Marino, given that the corporate group is one of the food distributors. In any case, also considering the doubts appropriate surveys on the surveys, now right from the IMF, would be a lot to do. It should also be used that the current period, characterized by the consequences of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine, has also had serious consequences in terms of rising food prices. Directly, as regards the production of some types of products such as, for example, sunflower oil and flour. Indirectly on many others as a result of the increase in the price of energy and fuels, which are used in the production and transport of foodstuffs. This occurred in San Marino, in Italy and in many other countries around the world. Finally, we would like to remind you that beyond the dynamics of prices in the food sector, there is also another aspect that seems to us to be somewhat underestimated even by the trade unions, namely that of the service provided. To many neighborhood shopping outlets that are not for sale elsewhere, many neighborhood businesses looking elsewhere for a service to people with mobility difficulties, including the elderly. Not as having to count, in the revelations of the certainty, these commercial establishments with specific turnover but which exercise a social role. In conclusion, in the light of the above considerations, we would like to recommend a greater balance in certain statements. We believe, thank you, it is in everyone’s interest to have clear information. We also believe, however, that it is in everyone’s interest to see our economic system protected, the foundation of the welfare state that protects all San Marino citizens, despite the many problems.
Cs – La Sociale Food Group