The latest data from the just-food international basket, published today, covers the third quarter of 2012. The basket is a group of 17 items from tuna to milk that highlights the difference in price between national brands and own label in seven international markets. Amid the worst economic conditions for a generation, shoppers are becoming more promiscuous in their behaviour and the data will prove valuable to brand manufacturers, own-label suppliers and retailers alike.

CATEGORY TYPICAL PACK SIZE PACK TYPE
Cereals 500g Single Medium Box
Rice  500g Single Packet
Canned tuna fish 185g Single Can
Ambient wet soup 400g Single Can
Ambient Mayonnaise 400g Single Jar
Frozen Pizza 400g Single Average Size Pizza
Frozen Burger 224g 4 Pack
Yoghurts 500g 4 Pack
Margarine 250g Single Tub
Butter 250g Single Packet
Wet cat food 400g Single Can
Milk – Ambient 568ml One Pint
Beer 440ml Single Can
Fruit juices – Ambient 1000ml Single Carton
Energy drinks 250ml Single Can
Tea bags 500ml 160ct Packet
Colas 1320ml 4 cans

In the third quarter, the cost of the just-food basket increased across most of the monitored markets year-on-year, except for the recession-hit southern European markets of Spain and Greece.

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The third quarter saw an indication of downward pressure on own-label prices in the US, which, aside from discounter-driven Germany, was the only market to see the price of a private-label basket fall.
The gap between the prices of brands and own label has squeezed in five of the eight countries, most noticeably in southern Europe. However it is not universal and countries like Germany, where the low cost discount channel is a major feature, continue to maintain private-label prices that are about half that of brands.
The volume of food sold on promotion increased in all countries in the third quarter, except for Spain and the promo-laden UK.