In recent years, many National Statistical Offices (NSOs) are experimenting with the use of online data in official consumer price indices, in particular in compiling food price statistics (food CPI). However, in the case of the Central Statistical Office in Poland (CSO), prices of food products are still collected in a traditional way – mainly by price collectors employed by regional statistical offices – in selected outlets.
The main goal of this research project is to address the issue of online data not being sufficiently utilised while measuring food CPI in Poland and to explore the new possibilities this approach would offer. In this research project, an algorithm (a computer program) will be developed. It will allow for automated collection of information about food products from the websites of supermarket chains operating in Poland on a daily basis. The resulting product data will be stored in a database. The set of daily quotations will be the basis for calculation of daily and monthly online price indices in the “food and non-alcoholic beverages” category.
The online food indices will be compared with official CSO food CPIs, and their leading properties will also be investigated. We will also investigate the frequency of food price changes (so-called price stickiness). This indicator will be compared with existing research regarding food price stickiness in physical stores.