Italians' strategies against inflation by social condition 2023

The inflation rate had a serious impact on Italian consumers, who were forced to adapt to the more expensive food prices by adopting new purchasing strategies. Two thirds of the customers aged 65 years or more refrained from buying unnecessary products and prevented food waste. These two approaches were taken on by 55 percent of the unemployed and the residents of Sicily and Sardinia, too. On the contrary, 60 percent of the working-class members purchased more products on offer and limited superfluous goods, rather than reducing the waste of food. Moreover, half of them changed their buying customs by choosing cheaper products, even if the goods were not the habitual ones. The other categories did not have the same willingness to adjust their purchasing strategy by buying new low-cost labels, as two thirds of the respondents demonstrated their loyalty to usual brands. More than 40 percent of the underclass and residents in the islands went more frequently for grocery shopping at discount stores. Overall, the working class mostly diversified the purchasing strategy against inflation, opting for different practices to reduce the food spending costs, whereas the other categories focused primarily on buying only indispensable products and less waste, without drastically changing their habits.