ARMINFO-STAR DINING TABLE MARCH PRICE INDEX MAKES UP 115,67 POINTS

ArmInfo
2010-04-17 18:07:00

ArmInfo. "ArmInfo-STAR" Dining Table Price Index (DTPI), based on
the costs of the 50 most popular food products at the network of
supermarkets STAR in March 2010, as compared to basic February 2009,
made up 115,67 points. As compared to February 2010, index grew
tangibly enough – by 10,81 points. Number purchasers, as compared
to March 2009, increased by 11,9% (less regard to the stores opened
over this period of time – by 7,2%). Average purchase amount reduced
by 7,2% (less regard to the new stores – by 6,3%). The quantitative
constituent of the index, as compared to March, 2009, made up 93,84,
the price one – 105,38.

The average weighted consumption of bread reduced by 10%. The price
for all of kinds of bread, except 430-gram diet-bread, grew by 10 –
20 drams. The growing price has been conditioned by insignificant rise
in prices for wheat and flour. Approach of the price for bread in STAR
network to the prices outside of it conditioned reduction of bread
consumption (i.e. by preference to buy bread in the nearest store).

The price for dairy products, on the contrary, reduced by 10 – 20
drams. The number of dairy products in Top 50 grew again in March
as compared to February, from 5 to 7, like in 2009 (two new kinds of
sour-cream and matsoun are added). Consumption raised for almost all
the products and made up 20% on average.

Consumption of beef remained almost at the same level, its price
changed proportionally to the total rise. Fruits in the list are
presented in the category of expensive products, and dependence of
consumption on variation in prices is traced quite clearly. If the
price for banana reduced by 10% and consumption grew by 15%, reduction
of the orange price by 17% caused growth of consumption by 40%. On the
other hand, growth of the price for kiwi (kiwi is traditionally the
most expensive fruit in the basket) sharply reduced its consumption –
almost twice.

Consumption of sweets, unlike the previous month, also turned out to
be strongly dependent on price. Consumption of two out of three kinds
of yogurts in the basket, which grew in price by 10 drams as compared
to March 2009, fell almost twofold, and the third – by 10%. To note,
as compared to February 2010, the price for yogurts was higher by 30 –
40 drams, that possibly caused a necessity to "save" delicate product.

However, increase of consumption takes place, though not so quickly,
that may be connected with gradual reduction of the crisis impact on
the level of consumer’s demand.