Confcommercio, September Misery index rises to 12.2, the highest value since 2024

In September 2026, the Confcommercio Misery index stood at 12.2, up four tenths of a point compared to August, reaching the highest value since February 2024. The association announced this by underlining that in the presence of a stable labor market, widespread unemployment stood at 6.6%, a marginal decrease compared to the previous month. The worsening of the indicator is determined by the acceleration of prices for goods and services with high purchase frequency (+5.3% from +4.3% in August) caused by energy and fresh food.

Confcommercio underlines that "in prospective terms, the fears of a further expansion of the area of ​​social hardship are confirmed". The continuation of high inflationary dynamics for goods and services purchased most frequently by families, and the risks of a transfer to other supply chains, "consolidates concerns about a possible slowdown, in the coming months, in family demand due to a reduction in disposable income".