From a year in which, according to statistical data, a 4.4 percent increase in price levels was recorded compared to the previous one, citizens are in for an even more expensive and financially difficult year.
Announcements about higher incomes will not bring significant relief due to inflation, which, as the consumer association claims, will “eat” them to a large extent. It is interesting that the prices of clothes and shoes are lower compared to other products. How to deal with inflation?, it says BHRT.
The only segment in which prices have fallen on an annual basis is clothing and footwear, according to data from the Agency for Statistics of Bosnia and Herzegovina. At the same time, the prices of food, beverages, furniture, household appliances, utilities, healthcare and transportation, as well as in the segments of recreation and culture, communication and education, increased. Price fluctuations are increasingly difficult to follow, so everyday life has become a struggle for the most necessary things for many.
Inflation is increasing day by day, so any attempt to increase income is quickly drowned in new price increases. Prices are formed and vary depending on the employer and market conditions.
“Anything that is not limited by margins gives retailers an additional opportunity to raise prices. On the other hand, higher prices mean more VAT. That’s the reason why no one reacts to everything we’ve been pointing out for years – that prices are too high,” said Murisa Marić from the Association for Consumer Protection “Don” Prijedor.
Given that with the new year comes new price increases, among which is more expensive electricity, citizens are expecting a particularly difficult financial year.
“The recommendation to consumers, i.e. citizens, is to try to reduce their costs wherever they can. To follow promotional sales, but when it comes to food products to be careful, because a large number of products have a short shelf life”, said Jovan Vasilić from the “Zvono” Bijeljina consumer association.
Citizens can react to drastic price increases of individual products through consumer associations. Instead of capping and lowering prices, the authorities are now announcing an app to monitor the prices of basic foodstuffs. It is difficult to assess whether such a measure will really help citizens save money in their household budgets.
