2024-08-31 08:16:11
Relief as consumer prices fell to the lowest level since 2021
Whether it’s the round price of energy, olive oil or even Döner kebabs, no one can fail to notice the rise in daily prices in Germany in recent years.
The situation has improved quite a bit recently – but there is important news this week that will make many people jump for joy.
The annual inflation rate fell to 1.9 percent in August, according to preliminary figures – down from 2.3 percent in July.
Incredibly, the last time German inflation was below 2 percent was in March 2021.
The reduction was attributed to a 5.1 percent reduction in energy costs.
In other good financial news, real wages increased for the fifth quarter in a row.
It is no wonder that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) is eager to highlight these developments on social media.
His coalition government has been taking a beating in the polls recently and will not be expecting elections in Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday where the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) is expected to make big gains.
“People have more money in their wallets again. Inflation is falling, real wages are rising for the fifth quarter in a row,” he tweeted.
Falling consumer prices are a relief but you might be surprised how expensive food prices are (we’re looking at you too, olive oil).
The price of food in Germany has risen by 33 percent since 2021, while the total inflation rate since then is about 20 percent.
Germany’s Consumer Advice Center wants to see companies be more transparent, saying food prices need to be monitored more closely.
I’m sure we all would love to see the exact prices during the weekly grocery store.
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Edeka takes a stand against the right wing
Speaking of those elections (and supermarkets), it’s not often that big business takes a political stand. But the German supermarket chain has campaigned against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) in an ad.
The supermarket chain’s new ad, which ran in two German newspapers, features a range of colorful fruit and veg – but highlights the blue, which is the AfD’s colour, “is not an option”. He said that “in Germany, the ‘blues’ are already the biggest threat to a diverse society”.
“Blue is not an option – we love diversity”
A German supermarket chain campaigns against the AfD pic.twitter.com/1LtrufvVuw
— James Jackson (@derJamesJackson) August 29, 2024
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Back to school
A new term has begun in Germany with many children returning to school. It’s a wonderful time to learn about some of Germany’s most traditional cultures.
For example: the School bag (school bag).
On the day of registration, known as school registration, Parents these bags shaped like cones with a large amount of sweets and other treats to celebrate the start of school. Sometimes we know how to Sugar cone (sugar bag).
Student with ‘Schultüte’ in Bavaria. Photo: alliance art/dpa | Sebastian Golnow
This tradition is said to date back to the early 1800s in Saxony and Thuringia. Starting in the big cities, it spread widely, becoming an important part of school enrollment across Germany.
To many Germans, these cones are an important symbol of starting school and entering a new stage of life.
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