Comparing prices at supermarkets
Even the best economist would have trouble answering this question: Why does a half-liter bottle of generic water cost 50 cents at a kiosk and 24 cents at a supermarket in Greece, while in France and Germany a one-liter bottle of Evian costs 43 cents? Kathimerini discovered several examples of skyrocketing costs in Greece when it studied the prices of various supermarkets here and in several countries of the European Union. Greeks appear to pay a lot for their laundry detergent as well as their bottled water. A well-known brand of detergent in 5.5-kilo box costs 18.14 euros in Greece, while the equivalent costs 12.69 euros in the UK and just 6 euros for a 4-kilo box in Germany. Toilet paper is more expensive here at 5.70 euros for a pack of eight rolls, compared to to 3.29 in Belgium, 2.62 in France, 4.50 in the UK and 3.50 in Germany. Toothpaste, yogurt, chicken and cola are also pricier. The biggest price gulfs are in the services sectors. For example, a cup of espresso in Greece ranges from 2.50-3 euros, while in the rest of the EU it costs 1.45-2 euros. The price of a drink in a bar is around 8 euros in Greece, while in Belgium and Germany it is 6 euros, and in France 7. The cost of parking in a private facility is also enormously more expensive in Greece when compared to the countries of northern Europe. Clothing is also considerably more expensive here.
