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Ihab Abou Letaif, based in Caracas, Venezuela, offers a local perspective on how economic pressures are reshaping everyday purchasing and decision-making.
Caracas, Venezuela, 10th February 2026, ZEX PR WIRE, Rising costs and ongoing inflation are no longer abstract economic topics for people in Venezuela. They are daily realities that influence how individuals shop, budget, and plan their lives. In a local outlook, Ihab Abou Letaif explains how broader retail and supply challenges are showing up at street level and what individuals can realistically do about it.
“When inflation becomes constant, people change behaviour,” says Abou Letaif. “You stop planning monthly and start thinking week by week.”
Over the past year, Venezuela has continued to experience high price variability across basic goods. Local estimates show that food prices in urban areas can fluctuate by 10–20% within a single quarter. Convenience and grocery retailers report more frequent shopping trips, with average basket sizes declining by an estimated 15–25%. Transport and logistics costs remain elevated, often accounting for over 30% of final shelf prices in some regions.
“People feel this at the checkout, not in reports,” Abou Letaif notes. “You see it in smaller purchases and fewer extras.”
Another challenge is availability. Supply disruptions mean that product consistency is less reliable than in previous years. In Caracas and surrounding areas, retailers report that substitute products now make up 20% or more of shelf space, compared to single-digit levels years ago.
“What people often get wrong is assuming prices will stabilise on their own,” he says. “Stability only comes from adjustment, not waiting.”
Despite the pressure, Abou Letaif believes there are ways individuals can regain a sense of control. “The goal is not perfection,” he explains. “It is reducing surprise.”
Local action list: 10 steps to take this week
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Track spending daily for seven days to spot patterns.
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Compare prices across two or three nearby shops, not just one.
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Prioritise essentials and rotate brands when availability shifts.
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Shop more frequently but buy less per visit to reduce waste.
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Build a small buffer of fast-moving essentials when prices dip.
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Share price information with family or neighbours.
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Ask local retailers about delivery days to buy fresher stock.
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Avoid bulk purchases unless turnover is certain.
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Keep a simple written list to avoid impulse buys.
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Review expenses weekly and adjust quickly.
“Small habits create stability,” Abou Letaif says. “That matters more than big promises.”
Finding trustworthy local resources
Reliable information often comes from proximity. Abou Letaif recommends speaking directly with local shop owners, following established community business associations, and comparing information across multiple sources. “If one source sounds too confident, double-check it,” he adds.
Call to action
Readers are encouraged to choose one local step today—whether tracking prices, speaking to a nearby retailer, or adjusting a weekly routine. “Local action is where resilience starts,” Abou Letaif says.
About Ihab Abou Letaif
Ihab Abou Letaif is a retail operations professional based in Caracas, Venezuela. His work focuses on inventory management, cash flow discipline, and supply coordination in high-inflation and emerging market environments. He shares practical insights rooted in everyday operational experience.
Disclaimer: The views, suggestions, and opinions expressed here are the sole responsibility of the experts. No Economy Lane journalist was involved in the writing and production of this article.
