By Warenkorb one understands as representative a quantity of goods as possible in the economic science. The Warenkorb is used in the price statistics for the price measurement. The price history of the contained goods is measured in timing with constant weighting. Usually one understands that Warenkorb, which is used for the computation consumer price index (VPI) by Warenkorb. This is based on the expenditures of the private households for the appropriate goods categories. Besides there are also goods baskets for the computation of other price indices as for instance to producer's price index, wholesale price index or building cost index.

Warenkorb in Germany

In Germany the Warenkorb for the consumer price index is provided by the Federal Statistical Office and contains about 750 goods (conditions: 2004). In February 2003 a conversion price index on a new Warenkorb with the base year of the 2000 took place. In the new Warenkorb disks were replaced to meals on wheels among other things by CD blanks, typewriters removed and added laser printers as well as "". Beyond that the weighting was measured new and introduced - more than ten years after the reunification - a uniform for completely Germany.

The database to determination consumer price index is provided by monthly accomplished collections: In each case to the monthly center about 560 and on behalf the statistic federal office further 15 coworkers accomplish Preiserhebungen to the goods and services contained in the Warenkorb on behalf the statistic national offices. The prices are inquired in approximately 40,000 so-called report places (e.g. Retail businesses, service office etc.), which are distributed over the entire federal territory in 190 municipalities. Altogether the database consists of approximately 350,000 prices per unit per month.

Warenkorb in Austria

In Austria the Warenkorb for the consumer price index is provided by the statistics Austria. The Warenkorb was updated from 1966 to 1996 every 10 years (VPI 66 to VPI 96). Due to defaults of EURO ACT the adjustment of the Warenkorbes takes place now every 5 years. The VPI is current 2000, which next actualization in the year 2005 to take place, published the new index row starting from January 2006. The Warenkorb covers among other things Getreideprodukte, meat goods, fish, milk, cheese, eggs, fats, oils, fruit and vegetable incl. potatoes.

Problems of the goods basket model for inflation computation

There are to lead with the goods basket model 2 problem zones to a wrong computation of the inflation rate can.

Luxury comes into the Warenkorb

By the example car: Simple equipped automodels disappear from the market. New models inserted things, which were reserved still before 20 years of the most expensive luxury class. ABS, Airbag, EPS, climatic mechanism. Thus better and better equipped cars arrive into the Warenkorb and cause so a calculated inflation, which is in reality only more luxury. Thus 2004 in Romania a Dacia cost 1300 5000. - EUR. Just as much like 1968 the Renault 12 cost.

Decrease in consumption is wrongly considered

The average consumption from cars went in the last decades back. On 100 km less litre are needed. This compensates to a large extent the increase of the fuel prices.

With the goods basket model the portion of the fuel of the basket decreases/goes back, but the increases of the fuel prices pierce more strongly on the computed inflation, than the real increase of the fuel costs on 100km.

Over a functional model for inflation computation - how much money is with a current mixes from cars on 100km drivingdrank on necessarily - the calculated inflation would fail smaller than over the goods basket model.

See also

• Inflation
• Purchasing power (currency)
• Price level
• Price index
• LIK

Related links

• Information of the Federal Statistical Office to Warenkorb and
• Consumer price index for Germany
• Consumer price index for Austria

Articles in category "Warenkorb"

We found here 14 articles.