Union of Working Consumers of Greece (EEKE), carried out a survey aiming to depict the reactions of consumers to the 2022-2023 increase in the prices of the products and services they consume.

The research was carried out in the period from January 10 to February 10, 2023, with the completion of one thousand seven hundred and ten (1,710) online questionnaires.

However, High Prices and Inflation in all 2023 plagues not only Greece, but also all EU member states.

The most important results obtained are the following:

• Only 4.8% regularly maintain or repair their home. The majority of respondents (59.9%) state that last time they maintained their residence was in the last three or more than five years.
• An 86.8% of consumers reduced their home heating while 8 out of 10 choose to wear more clothes to avoid heating costs. 91.3% turn down or turn off the heating during nighttime sleep.
• 40% of consumers reduce the number of times they take extended shower while most of them prefer a quick shower instead of a long bath 73.5%.
• 4% declare that they avoid using their electric oven. However, the percentage of those who also reduced their daily cooking is (57%).
• Likewise they also reduced ironing 73.7% while choosing to wash dishes by hand to avoid using the dishwasher 79.4%. Also, 94.6% of consumers state their preference for sun drying clothes instead of an electric clothes dryer.
• When asked if they make purchases from the state imposed measure “household basket”, the majority (83%) answer they do not prefer it. Consumers note that the household basket does not contribute at all to reduce food cost and essential items for their household (71.0%).
• From their family budget, consumers consider priority to cover the food cost (73.2%). A secondary but equally important need is to cover the cost of medical care (59.8%), then heating (54.3%) and fourth the rent/housing loan 53.9%. It is noteworthy that entertainment for the majority has moderate importance 77.4% as are, likewise, personal care 70.2% and clothing items 76.10%.
• Consumers also curtailed transportation by car. 77.3% while a significant percentage also reduced the purchase of food and other basic necessities (55.6% and 65.10% respectively). Finally, in order to cope with product and energy price increases, consumers choose to cut spending on personal care and clothing/footwear by (83.5% and 90.4%) respectively.
• Regarding leisure activities, 6 out of 10 consumers are unable to enjoy even one week of vacation a year. The (56.2%) have not taken any vacation at least in the last 3 years or not at all. Almost 3 out of 10 consumers have not taken a holiday for many years, while the remaining 27.8% enjoyed just one week vacation three years ago.
• Regarding eating habits, 41.3% can consume meat once a week. Based on their family budget, 52.3% consume fish once a week. The same seems to be the case for poultry, since it is only consumed once a week by 55.9%.
• 7 out of 10 respondents choose to buy food based on discounted offers and the lowest price.
• Almost all consumers wish to buy products directly from producers without the mediation of intermediaries (91.5%).

Click here to view:

• Demographics and Household Profile
• Ways of Dealing with the Energy Crisis
• Management of their Family Budget
• Perception of Economic Policy
• Attitude on Collective Actions
• Conclusions of the research