The 2023 consumer report from the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations shows: Germans are tightening their belts. Almost two thirds feel left alone by the federal government with high prices. The price crisis concerns people. Complaints to consumer advice centers have increased - especially when it comes to problems relating to energy.

Price crisis puts pressure on people

Almost two thirds of the people surveyed (64 percent) feel left alone with the sharp rise in consumer prices. This is the result of a representative forsa survey commissioned by the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations (vzbv) for the 2023 consumer report. When it comes to electricity and heating as well as food and nutrition, fewer people feel well protected than in previous years. The financial burden is also increasing: in all areas surveyed, more people say they are saving than last year.

“The 2023 consumer report from the Federal Association of Consumer Organizations shows clearly: the consumer crisis is far from over. Financial concerns are forcing people to save in all areas of everyday life: from energy consumption to travel. 44 percent save when buying food – I find that worrying. Just like people's feeling of being left alone with their financial worries. The federal government must urgently take action and ensure more security. Not everyone is affected equally by the crisis. There is a risk of a division in society,” says vzbv board member Ramona Pop.

Many consumers feel left alone. Image: vzbv
Many consumers feel left alone. Image: vzbv

“Politicians must live up to their responsibility in consumer protection. People with low incomes especially need help. The price caps for energy were a first step. The abolition of VAT on healthy foods must be next,” said Pop.

Savings necessary in all areas

Due to rising prices, people are saving and foregoing in many areas of life. As was the case last year (78 percent), the clear majority (76 percent) use less energy. In addition, the majority of consumers say they go to restaurants or bars less often (61 percent) or go on vacation (56 percent). What is particularly worrying is that 44 percent of people are saving money when buying groceries. Last year it was 35 percent of those surveyed.

Four out of five (80 percent) strongly or somewhat agree that healthy foods such as fruit, vegetables and legumes should be exempt from VAT. Even 87 percent of those surveyed (somewhat) agree that people with low incomes in particular should be relieved by the state in view of the increased prices.

Restrictions due to rising prices. Image: vzbv
Restrictions due to rising prices. Image: vzbv

Consumers are unsettled

The uncertainty is also reflected in the perceived level of protection: in the areas of electricity and heating, 47 percent of those surveyed see their own interests as not well protected or not protected at all.

A similar picture can be seen in the consumer advice centers: consumer complaints rose to over 240,000 in 2022 - ten percent more than in the previous year. The increase was particularly large for electricity and gas. Three times as many complaints were registered in this area as a year ago, with a total of almost 56,000.

vzbv takes action against energy providers

Due to the energy crisis, the vzbv has increased its scrutiny of energy providers - also due to price increases or questionable terminations. The vzbv takes legal action against legal violations. In 2022, the vzbv issued a total of 45 warnings against energy providers - more than twice as many as the year before. This resulted in 18 lawsuits and three model declaratory actions.

Politics is responsible

Politicians must live up to their responsibility to protect consumer interests. As in previous years, a majority of those surveyed (82 percent) see politicians as having a responsibility to protect their interests as consumers. At the same time, only 22 percent of those surveyed trust politicians very or rather strongly when it comes to protecting their consumer interests.

Consumer protection remains highly relevant - as in previous years, this is also shown by the latest consumer report: Almost nine out of ten people (88 percent) say that consumer protection is very or rather important for their personal safety.

Methodology:

For the consumer report, forsa conducted a representative telephone survey with 1,500 people on behalf of vzbv (CATI dual frame). All German-speaking people aged 14 and over in private households in Germany were taken into account. The survey period for the current consumer report was April 11 to 27, 2023. The statistical error tolerance is +/- 3 percentage points in the overall sample.

Source:

vzbv
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