A survey of 60 basic items from the consumer basket has revealed that the cheapest supermarket chain in Serbia is Dis.
Dis was followed by Roda, Tempo and Univerexport, while Maxi, Mercator and Idea stand out as the most expensive.
The survey, conducted, conducted by the Association of Serbian Consumers (APOS), examined regularly priced items in Dis, Idea, Maxi, Mercator, Roda, Tempo and Univereksport stores. The biggest savings can be achieved for meat and meat products (on average RSD 200 = €1.66), as well as for milk and milk products (RSD 86 = €0.71).
Flour, cereals, pastries and pasta are most favourable in Tempo and Roda, and by far the most expensive in Mercator and Maxi.
The average savings between the maximum and minimum prices for this product group is RSD 23 (€0.19). Fruits and vegetables are cheapest in Dis and Roda stores and most expensive in Tempo and Maxi. Due to price differences, consumers can save RSD 28-34 (€0.23 - €0.28) per kilogram.
Mercator and Maxi are the least economical for frozen and canned foods, while Dis, Univereksport and Roda are the cheapest. Average savings can reach RSD 29 (€0.24) and, specifically for frozen vegetables, up to RSD 50 (€0.42).
Consumers can expect to pay the lowest prices for canned and frozen fish at Roda and Tempo stores and the highest in Maxi and Mercator outlets. Average savings can reach RS 40 (€0.33) and up to RSD 80 (€0.66) for more expensive products such as hake.
There are large oscillations between the minimum and maximum price of meat and meat products, with average savings of about RS 200 (€1.66) per kilogram. Dis and Roda have the lowest prices, while Maxi and Mercator have the least favourable.
In the group of milk and dairy products, Mercator was the most expensive, while Roda was the cheapest. The average savings per item is RSD 86 (€0.71), and for cheeses more than RSD 200 (€1.66) per kilogram.
On products such as oil, sugar, salt and beverages, retailers usually compensate for discounted products. These categories are the most expensive in Maxi and cheapest in Dis.
It is worth noting that Roda, Mercator and Idea are owned by Croatian food-to-retail concern Agrokor, while Maxi and Tempo are store formats run by Belgian retailer Delhaize.
