{"id":145577,"date":"2025-06-04T06:57:31","date_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:57:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/budget-products-new-smart-shopping-labels-sometimes-conceal-price-increases\/"},"modified":"2025-06-04T06:57:33","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T06:57:33","slug":"budget-products-new-smart-shopping-labels-sometimes-conceal-price-increases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teknomers.com\/en\/budget-products-new-smart-shopping-labels-sometimes-conceal-price-increases\/","title":{"rendered":"Budget products: New ‘smart shopping’ labels sometimes conceal price increases."},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Rising Prices: The Hidden Costs Behind the Shift to Sustainable Products<\/h2>\n

In a persistent \u00a0inflationary\u00a0 environment, major retailers are attempting to modernize their image, particularly with regard to their most accessible products. To this end, they are launching new lines that appear more \u00a0responsible\u00a0, more \u00a0local\u00a0, or more \u201c\u00a0green\u00a0.\u201d The marketing is polished, the slogans reassuring, and consumers often feel like they’re making a contribution to the planet. However, in reality, the \u00a0prices\u00a0 are also evolving\u2014upwards.<\/p>\n

This trend is well-documented today. Several analyses, including those conducted by consumer associations and observers of the retail sector, demonstrate that rebranded products positioned under the \u201cbetter consumption\u201d banner are often sold at prices \u00a010 to 30% higher\u00a0 than their previous equivalents.<\/p>\n

A Concrete Example: Everyday Products<\/h2>\n

The following table compares old \u201cbudget\u201d products with their reconditioned counterparts under sustainable lines. It clearly illustrates the \u00a0hidden price increase\u00a0 sometimes disguised behind the apparent improvement of the product:<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Old Products (Budget)<\/strong><\/th>\nPrice Before (\u20ac)<\/strong><\/th>\nEquivalent ‘Better Consumption’ Product<\/strong><\/th>\nPrice After (\u20ac)<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Pasta 500g<\/td>\n0.55<\/td>\nSustainable Pasta (Reduced Packaging)<\/td>\n0.72<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
UHT Milk 1L<\/td>\n0.89<\/td>\nLocal \u201cEthical\u201d Milk<\/td>\n1.05<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Flour T45 1kg<\/td>\n0.65<\/td>\nLocal or Partially Organic Flour<\/td>\n0.85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Plain Yogurts x4<\/td>\n1.05<\/td>\nAdditive-Free Yogurts (Carton Pot)<\/td>\n1.29<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Strawberry Jam 370g<\/td>\n1.20<\/td>\nReduced Sugar Jam (France Origin)<\/td>\n1.58<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

In this example, a basket of five basic products can cost nearly \u20ac2 more solely due to marketing repositioning.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Green Label: An Eco-Friendly Package with Questionable Content?<\/h2>\n

Retailers defend themselves against any accusations of manipulation, asserting that the price increases are justified by more sustainable practices, better quality, lighter packaging, or even more local production. However, this explanation does not always hold up, especially when the ingredients or recipes remain unchanged<\/strong>, and only the visual appeal or terminology has changed.<\/p>\n

This phenomenon, which some openly label \u201c\u00a0price greenwashing\u00a0,\u201d increasingly impacts modest families and retirees, for whom the checkout process becomes a daily puzzle. Many do not immediately notice these increases due to a lack of detailed receipts or clear points of comparison.<\/p>\n

How to Avoid Falling into the Trap?<\/h2>\n

It is possible to spot these hidden price hikes, provided you pay attention to certain elements. Here are some practical tips<\/strong> to apply while shopping:<\/p>\n