Mercadona has launched an information campaign to inform its “bosses” – as it calls customers in its internal jargon – of the increase in VAT rates in basic foods, which came into force nationally on Tuesday, October 1.
The company chaired by Juan Roig has placed a series of information panels at checkouts and entrances to its establishments, detailing the increase in tax rates under Royal Decree-Law 4/2024, approved by the Government.
Mercadona gives some examples, such as the case of pasta, which goes from a VAT of 5 to 7.5%, as well as milk, eggs or fruit which, if not taxed, will now have to bear a tax on the added value of 2%.
Mercadona warns that this measure will be applied to these products and to many other products of the basic basketaffected by the tax increase decreed by the Executive.
So far this year, Mercadona has applied a price reduction to more than a thousand products in its assortment. According to the company’s calculations, this measure saves up to 150 euros per year per customer on purchases.
Image of the information poster placed by Mercadona to warn of the increase in VAT on basic products
Discounted products include fish, pasta, bread and olive oilwhich in some cases will now suffer the increase derived from the increase in VAT marked by the government.
According to the latest report published by the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU), Alcampo and Mercadona are the two national Spanish supermarket chains offering the lowest purchase prices. In the case of the Valencian company, it is among the brands offering the most affordable prices in 43 cities and the cheapest in 8.
gradual rise
The month of October thus began with an increase in the price of the basket caused by the end of the VAT exemption on basic products that the government applied to counteract the effects of inflation. Some of the products that increase their tax rate are bread, flour, milk, cheese, eggs, fruits, vegetables and legumes, as well as olive oil.
It should be remembered that all these products go from 0% VAT to 2% until December 31, that is to say that it is a gradual risesince from January 1, 2025 they will increase to 4% and 10% respectively.
