In July, shopping was once again more expensive than a year ago. Butter and oil were the most expensive.

An analysis of over 91,000 retail prices showed that everyday purchases increased in price by an average of 5.7% year-on-year in July. This is the same result as in May and slightly lower than in June, according to a report by UCE Research and WSB Merito Universities.

In July, everyday purchases increased in price by an average of 5.7 percent year-on-year, according to the "Retail Price Index" report, prepared by UCE Research and WSB Merito Universities. Prices rose across 17 product categories, including food, beverages, both non-alcoholic and alcoholic, as well as household chemicals and baby products. In June, the increase in purchase prices was 5.8 percent, and in May – 5.7 percent. Food prices alone rose by 4.9 percent.

"(...) the first place in the price ranking is occupied by fatty products (butter, margarine, oil, etc.), which increased by 14.2% year-on-year (in June, it was second with a 15.7% year-on-year increase). The price growth dynamics in this category are exaggerated by two products – butter and oil, with increases of 17.3% and 18.7% year-on-year, respectively," the report reads.

It shows that the second fastest-growing category in terms of price growth were stimulants—coffee, tea, alcohol, etc.—with an average increase of 10.3% year-on-year (in June, they rose 14.8%). Within this category , ground and instant coffee rose the fastest, with increases of 18.3% and 16.8%, respectively.

Fruit ranked third in terms of price increases, with an average annual increase of 9.1% (in June the increase was 11.5%).

"We're seeing a typical seasonal trend, as July typically marks the end of the harvest season for early fruits, such as strawberries, and subsequent domestic products appear at the end of August and in September. The weather this year has been very favorable for the harvest, so domestic fruit shouldn't surprise us with a significant price increase in the near future," said Anna Motylska-Kuźma from the University of Lower Silesia, DSW, quoted in the report.

Personal hygiene products ranked fourth in terms of price increases, up 8.2 percent (they were down 0.5 percent in June). Household chemicals came in fifth with an average increase of 7.9 percent.

"Outside the top five are sweets and desserts with an average increase of 6.8% year-on-year (1st place in June and a year-on-year increase of 16.1% (...). Next in the ranking are meat with an average year-on-year increase of 6.7% (in June – 7.7% year-on-year), dairy products – 6.1% (previously – 7.4% year-on-year), as well as bread – 5.8% year-on-year (a month earlier – 7.2% year-on-year). Then there are fish with a year-on-year increase of 5.2% (in June – 6.2% year-on-year), as well as cold cuts – 4.3% year-on-year (previously identical).

As the report's authors explain, it is based on analysis showing average price values recorded month-on-month and year-on-year. Results from July 2025 and the same period in 2024 were compared. This covered 17 categories and over 100 of the most frequently chosen everyday products by consumers. A total of over 91,000 retail prices from over 43,000 stores belonging to 62 retail chains were compared. The study covered all discount stores, hypermarkets, supermarkets, convenience stores, and cash & carry chains that reach the majority of consumers in Poland. (PAP)

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