Milan, Aug. 28 (LaPresse) – Rising fuel prices now risk producing a domino effect on retail prices, passing higher transport costs on to the price lists of goods and services. Codacons said this in a statement, warning of the possible consequences of the sharp increases recorded in recent weeks for petrol and diesel. “In a country like Italy, where more than 80% of the land transport of goods takes place by road, the increase in the price of diesel – the statement continues – inevitably leads to higher costs for road haulage and distribution. Costs that risk being passed on, in whole or in part, to final consumers through price increases in shops and supermarkets. The danger particularly concerns food products and consumer goods, characterized by a supply chain involving numerous road journeys, from production to points of sale.” “After the blow at the pump, citizens therefore risk suffering a second blow when doing their grocery shopping – Codacons said -. The increase in fuel prices does not only affect those who use a car, but can spread throughout the entire economy through increased transport and distribution costs.” For this reason, Codacons is calling on the government to monitor retail price trends in the coming weeks, with particular attention to foodstuffs and consumer goods, verifying that any price increases are genuinely justified by the higher costs incurred by businesses. “The risk is that rising fuel prices will be used as an excuse to apply price increases greater than the actual additional costs – Codacons continued -. Any abnormal or unjustified increase must be identified promptly, to prevent further speculation at the expense of families.” “The government must therefore intervene not only to contain prices at the pump, but also to prevent the surge in petrol and diesel prices from triggering a new inflationary spiral, further aggravating the daily expenses of Italian families,” the statement concluded.
Fuel, Codacons: “Now risk of domino effect on retail prices”
Milan, Aug. 28 (LaPresse) – Rising fuel prices now risk producing a domino effect on retail prices, passing higher transport costs on to the price lists of goods and services. Codacons said this in a statement, warning of the possible consequences of the sharp increases recorded in recent weeks for petrol and diesel. “In a country like Italy, where more than 80% of the land transport of goods takes place by road, the increase in the price of diesel – the statement continues – inevitably leads to higher costs for road haulage and distribution. Costs that risk being passed on, in whole or in part, to final consumers through price increases in shops and supermarkets. The danger particularly concerns food products and consumer goods, characterized by a supply chain involving numerous road journeys, from production to points of sale.” “After the blow at the pump, citizens therefore risk suffering a second blow when doing their grocery shopping – Codacons said -. The increase in fuel prices does not only affect those who use a car, but can spread throughout the entire economy through increased transport and distribution costs.” For this reason, Codacons is calling on the government to monitor retail price trends in the coming weeks, with particular attention to foodstuffs and consumer goods, verifying that any price increases are genuinely justified by the higher costs incurred by businesses. “The risk is that rising fuel prices will be used as an excuse to apply price increases greater than the actual additional costs – Codacons continued -. Any abnormal or unjustified increase must be identified promptly, to prevent further speculation at the expense of families.” “The government must therefore intervene not only to contain prices at the pump, but also to prevent the surge in petrol and diesel prices from triggering a new inflationary spiral, further aggravating the daily expenses of Italian families,” the statement concluded.