A Nationwide Study Brings Insights for Madeira Shoppers
From September 1 to December 31, 2024, DECO Proteste conducted a comprehensive analysis of supermarket prices across mainland Portugal. This study aimed to identify the supermarket that offered the best prices and was most affordable for consumers, providing valuable information for shoppers throughout the country - including those in Madeira, where Pingo Doce and Continente are the two leading supermarket chains. Without them, the island would come to a standstill.
Which Is Portugal’s Cheapest Supermarket?
The analysis revealed that Pingo Doce emerged as the most budget-friendly option, achieving a perfect index score of 100. This distinction earned it the title of Portugal’s Cheapest Supermarket for the final four months of 2024. The chain’s consistent pricing strategies have made it a top choice for cost-conscious consumers.
Continente Follows Closely
Close behind, Continente, Froiz and Auchan shared second place with an index score of 101, indicating their prices were just 1% higher than Pingo Doce. Intermarché ranked third, with costs 3% above those of the leading supermarket.
High Costs at El Corte Inglés
On the other end of the spectrum, El Corte Inglés was found to be the most expensive supermarket in the study. With an index score of 109, its prices were 9% higher than Pingo Doce, placing it firmly at the bottom of the affordability ranking. Supermarkets like 360Hyper and Minipreço were positioned in the middle range, with index scores of 104 and 106, respectively. None of them exist in Madeira, possibly for a reason?
Methodology Behind the Rankings
The DECO Proteste study used a methodology to ensure accurate and meaningful results. Prices were collected daily for a basket of more than 200 products, carefully selected to reflect the average spending habits of Portuguese households. The simulator, a tool developed by DECO Proteste in 2021, calculates index scores by prioritizing the most recent prices and applying differentiated weights to the products based on their relevance in household budgets.
The index score of 100 represents the lowest-priced supermarket. Each point above 100 reflects a 1% price increase for the same basket of goods. Delivery fees, promotional discounts, and conditional offers were excluded from the calculations to focus solely on baseline pricing.
Source: DECO Proteste
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