Study Finds Israel's 'Basket of Goods' Program Lowers Some Prices but Raises Others, Undermining Savings
תומצת מתוך Arutz Sheva על ידי baba
A study by Tel Aviv University found Israel's "Basket of Goods" program cut prices on targeted items but led to price increases in others, potentially offsetting consumer savings. The research analyzed data from over 2,000 stores and found significant price drops at Carrefour but limited effects elsewhere, alongside notable price hikes in many non-program products.
הידיעה ב-6 שורות · תקציר של baba
- Israel's 'Basket of Goods' program lowered prices of designated products by about 35% at Carrefour stores.
- Outside Carrefour, price reductions were minimal, with only about 3% drops in discount chains.
- Price increases occurred in many non-basket product categories, some statistically significant.
- 86 popular non-basket products rose in price by 1.5% in stores and 2% online.
- Major supermarket chains set prices nationally, limiting local price competition.
- Researchers warn overall consumer savings may be negated by price hikes in other products.
A pioneering study by the Coller School of Management at Tel Aviv University evaluated the impact of Israel's "Basket of Goods" program about two months after its implementation. The research revealed that while the program significantly reduced prices of designated basket products, it simultaneously caused price increases in other items, potentially negating consumer savings.
The study, conducted by Prof. Itay Atar, Adi Omer from Tel Aviv University, and Dr. Or Avishi-Rizi from Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, analyzed daily price data from Pricez, covering approximately 70 supermarket sub-chains and over 2,000 branches across Israel during the program's first seven weeks. Results showed a 35% price drop for basket products at participating Carrefour stores and a 37% decrease on Carrefour's online platform. However, outside Carrefour, price reductions were limited, with no significant drops across all food chains and only about a 3% average decrease in major discount chains.
Concurrently, the study identified price hikes in non-basket products. At Carrefour physical stores, 46 of 76 product categories saw price increases, 23 of which were statistically significant; online, 55 categories increased, with 31 statistically significant. Additionally, 86 popular non-basket products rose in price by about 1.5% in stores and 2% online. The research also found that major supermarket chains set prices nationally rather than competing locally around participating branches.
Prof. Atar commented, "The program succeeded in lowering basket product prices at Carrefour and somewhat influenced competitors, but in economics, there are no free gifts." He emphasized that while consumers saved on basket items, they paid more for others, suggesting the overall shopping bill might not have decreased. "The true test is the total checkout amount, and in this respect, the effort to reduce the shopping cart cost may have backfired."
מוזכרים
אותו אירוע, כפי שכל מערכת דיווחה עליו בנפרד. פתחו כמה דיווחים כדי להשוות מה כל מערכת מדגישה, ומה היא משאירה בחוץ.
מרכז 3ימין 2חרדית 1אחרים 2
