Supermarket inflation in Greece reached +0.39% in June 2026 compared to June 2025, according to a study by the Institute of Research of Retail Consumer Goods (IELKA). The June 2026 price index compared to the previous month, May 2026, fell by -0.29%. Overall, the rolling 12-month period (July 2025–June 2026) recorded a cumulative increase of 1.56%.
Read also: IELKA report: Greek supermarket basket among Europe’s cheapest, but second-highest VAT burden on the continent
Supermarket inflation at +0.39%: Price increases across key food categories
Of the 23 product categories examined, 14 recorded price increases while 9 saw decreases. The largest price drops in June 2026 compared to June 2025 were recorded in the following categories: pet food and supplies (-5.56%), breakfast foods and beverages (-2.60%), frozen foods (-2.53%), detergents and cleaning products (-2.02%), and paper products, cosmetics and personal care items (-1.06%).
According to IELKA, the recorded price decreases are the result of both market normalization and falling producer prices in certain product segments.
The largest price increases in June 2026 compared to June 2025 were recorded in: cold cuts and deli meats (+4.80%), ready-made meals (+3.91%), baby and infant food (+3.62%), dairy products and refrigerated juices (+3.59%), and water, soft drinks and juices (+3.37%).
The factors behind the broader trend of price restraint at supermarkets are as follows:
- Inflation containment. Prices at large grocery retailers have been held in check over the past two years due to the high volumes of products they handle, economies of scale, their organizational and technological readiness, and the growing role of private label products.
- High inventory turnover. Price restraint appears much faster at large retail outlets due to higher inventory turnover rates. In other words, they move stock more quickly and reorder sooner, enabling them to pass on cost reductions to consumers faster.
- The impact of private label products. Private label sales shares are higher in large supermarket chains due to a wider product range, and have been growing steadily over the past two years.
