The lunch break is becoming more and more expensive: increases of up to 8% compared to last year
A study by the National Federconsumatori Observatory analyzes the increase in the costs of eating out over the last 25 years.
Quick Look
- The study by the National Federconsumatori Observatory reveals an 8% increase in lunch break costs compared to last year.
- In 25 years, the prices of some products have risen by up to 368%, pushing many workers to bring lunch from home.
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Why It Matters
The ONF study compares current lunch break prices with those of 25 years ago, highlighting significant increases.
The lunch break is becoming more and more expensive. And the price increases are being felt given that, compared to last year, you can pay 8% more. The comparison with 25 years ago also records an increase which, depending on the case, reaches +368%. For this reason there are those who opt for "lunch" brought from home. This scenario is described, also indicating some advice, by the study carried out by the Onf, the national observatory of the Consumer Federation which, after having recorded the prices, makes comparisons with the past.
«For a sandwich, a half-liter bottle of water and a coffee you spend up to 7 euros - underlines the Observatory -. Those who eat out during their lunch break and decide to have a plate of pasta, a half-liter bottle of water, a dessert and a coffee spend an average of 16.19 euros. With these costs, the average expense per week amounts to approximately 81.00 euros." In 25 years the cost has increased by 193%. The cost of a bottle of water has increased by 323% in a quarter of a century, while a plate of pasta has increased by 245%. Reading the prices we discover that in the same period of time the costs of sandwiches have increased by 355% and those of ice cream by 368%, while the red pizza by 335%.
Costs that are felt when projected over a monthly and annual period. Because, the expense can reach amounts ranging from 2,760 euros to 3,250.
Hence the need to reduce these expenses too. «With salaries at a standstill and expenses rising on many fronts, workers are trying to save on this item, opting for alternative and cheaper solutions - underlines the Onf study -. Some decide to buy single-dose products or ready meals at the supermarket or in large-scale retail outlets, which offer increasingly varied and imaginative solutions in this sense."
The cheapest solution is to bring lunch from home. According to the study, the savings, compared to what you would spend at a bar or in a diner, is around 75%. A solution that «allows you to follow any dietary regime more easily and, ultimately, to save the time spent queuing at the bar, in favor of a short relaxation break, or a light walk, before resuming work».
Open Questions
- What are the specific causes of price increases in the restaurant sector?
