A current analysis carried out by the Gallup Institute on behalf of the Chamber of Labor shows that three out of four Austrians are suffering from systematic inflation. Many of those surveyed stated that cutbacks are being made in leisure activities, in gastronomy and in going to the cinema.

In February of this year, the market research institute surveyed 1.000 randomly selected residents of Austria for the Chamber of Labour. Low-income households, families with children under the age of 14 and single people in particular are said to have stated that they feel the sharp rise in prices significantly in everyday life.

In some sectors, the higher costs due to exorbitantly high purchase prices for energy and fuel are quite understandable. At the same time, however, there are also certain "free-rider effects" because prices have been tightened in many areas, although they are not affected or only to a minor extent. True to the motto "everything is getting more expensive", many companies have increased their sales and service prices.

Average ticket prices have also risen in aviation, even though most carriers have already hedged their biggest cost factor, kerosene, over the long term as part of fuel hedging deals. However, many airlines should be fine with the fact that demand is particularly high despite higher average prices. But this is quite fragile, because this year there is still a lot of catching up to do, which is primarily due to the pointless and haphazard entry and quarantine restrictions and the scaremongering that some governments used during the corona pandemic.

Savings are therefore less “for the holidays” and more for the “trappings”. In other words: Instead of additional excursions, visits, visits to concerts and cultural events, many do without them for cost reasons. All-inclusive holidays are also in greater demand this year than ever before, since many obviously want to secure themselves “at a fixed price”.

The survey by the Chamber of Labor shows a very similar picture in everyday life: many consumers are saving on leisure and well-being expenses: 62 percent cancel eating out, 57 percent go out in the evening and more than every second person (52 percent) visits cultural events such as the cinema less often or theatre. Austrians are less willing or able to do without shopping or driving: one in five buys less groceries, 36 percent drive less often. In addition to doing without, it is clear that Austrians also choose cheaper alternatives. Changing providers or terminating contracts is an issue. Around one in three respondents stated that they approached other providers when filling up. Every fourth Austrian has changed supermarkets and buys from cheaper supermarkets. About one fifth each looked around for cheaper clothing or cheaper mobile phone providers, 15 percent switched insurance companies – five percent even canceled them.

More than a quarter spent their holidays "on the balcony", often cycled or used public transport. Those who earn little have an above-average frequency of repairs and/or sharing, as do households with children under the age of 14 – these groups are also increasingly buying second-hand.

 "Especially people with low incomes and/or those with children have to limit themselves a lot and therefore change their shopping behavior," summarizes AK consumer advocate Gabriele Zgubic. “First of all, leisure activities will be canceled, but there will also have to be savings on essentials such as food. It should not be forgotten that fewer leisure activities also have a disadvantageous effect on the quality of life and participation in social life. Consumer alternatives such as buying used and second-hand are welcome from a climate and environmental protection perspective, but should not be caused by economic compulsion. Measures that promote repairs, for example, are positive, for example the proposals at EU level on the right to repairs or the Austrian repair bonus. Longer product shelf lives also help consumers save money.”