Today, the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (vzbv) published its latest Consumer report 2023. The survey shows that 64 percent of consumers felt left alone with the sharp rise in consumer prices and 44 percent saved on food purchases. Regarding electricity and heating, as well as food and nutrition, fewer people felt well protected than in previous years.
For this representative consumer report, forsa conducted a representative telephone survey on behalf of the vzbv in April 2023 with 1,500 German-speaking people aged 14 and above living in private households.
These are further insights:
- 76 percent of respondents said they were using less energy, as in the previous year (78 percent). In addition, 61 percent went to restaurants or bars less often and 56 percent went on fewer vacations. In addition, 44 percent saved on food purchases, compared to 35 percent the previous year.
- 80 percent of respondents fully or somewhat agreed that healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables should be exempt from sales tax. 87 percent agreed (somewhat) that people on low incomes should receive relief from the government in view of the increased prices.
- General uncertainty is reflected in the perceived level of protection. 47 percent of respondents felt that their own interests in the area of electricity and heating were rather not well protected or not protected at all.
- Consumer complaints also rose to over 240,000 in the consumer advice centers in 2022, 10 percent more than in the previous year. Especially in the area of electricity and gas, 56,000 complaints were registered, three times as many as a year ago.
Ramona Pop, vzbv Executive Director, commented: "The Consumer report 2023 of the Federation of German Consumer Organisations clearly shows: the consumer crisis is far from over. Financial worries are forcing people to save in all areas of everyday life: from energy consumption to travel. 44 percent save when buying food – I find that worrying. So is people's feeling that they are being left alone to deal with their financial worries. The German government urgently needs to take action and provide more security. Not everyone is affected equally by the crisis. There is a risk of a split in society. Politicians must live up to their responsibility to protect consumers. People with low incomes in particular need help. The price brakes for energy were a first step. The abolition of VAT on healthy food must be the next."
Source: vzbv
More information