The rise in fuel prices caused by the war in the Middle East sent the cost of living soaring in Catalonia and Spain in March, the first month with the war's effects, according to consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) data published this Tuesday by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

The Ministry of Social Rights, Consumer Affairs and the 2030 Agenda has ratified the fine of 3.6 million euros that it imposed on Lloguer Segur for abusive practices against tenants after resolving the appeal filed by the real estate company. The department led by Pablo Bustinduy considers that this company has violated consumer rights by taking advantage of its dominant market position and has deemed the administrative route exhausted.

The war in Iran and the resulting increase in energy costs have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has notably increased compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The war in Iran and the resulting energy price increase have impacted inflation in Spain. Thus, the cost of living for families this March has become notably more expensive compared to February, as a result of the rise in prices of fuels and electricity.

The price war at gas stations has erupted. At least temporarily, and with greater savings the more contracts and service agreements signed with the companies. This comes after fuel prices soared the day after the outbreak of war in the Middle East and the surge in oil prices, which reinforced the situation. from the control of abuses by the National Commission for Markets and Competition (CNMC)The major companies have entered into a price war ahead of Easter. In any case, the biggest discounts are obtained if other services related to electricity or gas are contracted.

Cava sales declined last year for the second consecutive year, according to a report released Wednesday by the Cava Designation of Origin Regulatory Board. The total number of bottles sold fell by 12.88% year-on-year to 190 million. Revenue reached €2.048 billion, 10% less than in 2014. This drop is attributed to the drought, according to Javier Pagés, president of the Cava DO. "The decline is not due to a lack of demand, but rather a lack of product," he stated. This decrease stems primarily from exports, which fell by 18.68%. In the Spanish market, the reduction was much more moderate, at 2.48% in volume. It should be noted that of the 190 million bottles sold, 60% of the Cava was destined for export. The first market was Belgium, the second the United States, and the third the United Kingdom. Of all the cava sold in Spain, 33.7% was in Catalonia. Germany, traditionally the first or second largest market, fell to fifth place.

The cost of living for Catalan families rose slightly in February, despite remaining within the limits set by the European Central Bank (ECB). Last month was the last before the outbreak of the war in Iran, which is expected to have an upward impact on prices due to the resulting increase in the cost of oil and natural gas. Specifically, prices in Catalonia rose by 0.5% compared to January, a figure that stands out in contrast to the previous month, when the cost of living decreased compared to December. However, compared to a year ago, the growth was 2%, the same annual rate as in January, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the evolution of prices of consumer goods and services) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INE). Across Spain, the INE has confirmed the data that I had already shared two weeks agoThus, in Spain, prices rose on average in February by 2.3% compared to the same month last year and by 0.4% compared to January. The rise in inflation is mainly due to the increase in fuel costs, which is expected to be even more pronounced in the coming months, with a monthly increase of 1.7%. Tourism and hospitality also became more expensive in February, with an average increase of 1.2%.

According to the OECD and Cornell University, for every 100-word text or each conversation with between 10 and 40 prompts (instructions), up to 0.5 liters of fresh water are consumed, or the equivalent of 14 LED bulbs lit for an hour.

What rights and responsibilities do we have when we go to a restaurant? The pandemic has made it clear that the customer isn't always right. And indeed, that's the case. Just like in any neighborhood, there are some difficult customers. There are also restaurant owners who cheat. So there are some common rules of the gameThe problem is that not everyone is aware of them. So, let's review the most common questions any of us might have.

Catalonia was the second autonomous community with the lowest inflation in December and maintains, for the tenth consecutive month, a growth in the cost of living below the State average, where Madrid led the increase in the cost of living, according to data from the consumer price index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living) published this Thursday by the National Institute of Statistics.

Endesa Energía has acknowledged unauthorized access to its sales platform, resulting in the theft of customer data related to their contracts, including identity documents and payment information. A malicious actor bypassed the security measures implemented by the company on its sales platform in a recent security incident, and the company has already begun notifying affected users via email. This incident, described by the company as "unauthorized and illegitimate access," led to the theft of sensitive personal data from customers related to their electricity and gas contracts. According to the company's investigation, the malicious actor "had access and could have exfiltrated" contact information, identity documents, and bank account IBANs. Endesa Energía clarifies that access passwords were not compromised.

The traditional January sales began this Wednesday in shops across Spain after a Christmas campaign that left Catalan retailers satisfied. However, as has become the norm in recent years, the sales are less pronounced than in previous years due to the November discounts offered by Black Friday and the rise in online shopping. Gabriel Jené, president of Barcelona Oberta—the association of shops in the center of the Catalan capital—described the now-ending Christmas campaign as "very good," despite the fact that rain and bad weather negatively impacted sales on some of the Saturdays leading up to the holidays. Looking ahead to the discount period that begins this Wednesday, Jené stated in comments reported by ACN that it is "necessary" because sectors like fashion "clear out their seasonal stock" at lower prices and prepare items for the following season.

The price of cocoa fell by more than 45% in 2025 after a 2024 marked by a sharp increase due to poor harvests in the main producing country, Ivory Coast, and the entry of speculative funds into wholesale markets. However, for the moment, the cost of chocolate for consumers has not yet adjusted to the decrease in the price of cocoa and remains above the levels of a few years ago.

Grocery shopping isn't what it used to be. Prices have risen, and the products we expected to find aren't always available, or they aren't locally sourced even when they're in season. In fact, we may be more confused than ever about food seasons, not only because we've become complacent, but because they're becoming increasingly blurred. Behind it all is often climate change, which has already significantly disrupted our shopping habits and will do so even more, especially if the world continues to fail to take decisive steps to mitigate it. Now, raising awareness and taking action as consumers has become essential.

More than 90% of the phone numbers used to call potential customers on behalf of Endesa are suspected of fraud. This is according to a search tool launched by the energy company to provide consumers with tools to avoid telephone fraud.

Cheers with a 0.0% sparkling wine: is that what your first toast of 2026 will be like, or can't you even dream of it? While it's common to hear that toasting without alcohol brings bad luck during celebrations like New Year's, one of the most superstitious, the fact is that wines and sparkling wines with 0% alcohol are becoming increasingly popular. rare elderlyAlthough their expansion still arouses suspicion, partly because their flavor is not always perceived favorably, there are more and more wineries offering them and consumers willing to try them.

Christmas has become, above all, a vast commercial showcase where almost everything is measured in euros. The spirit of gathering and reflection has been replaced by a compulsive race to buy and show off. Giving gifts has become an economic obligation, and not doing so feels like a social failure. The illuminated streets conceal a constant pressure to buy more and spend as much as possible. In this drift, the original meaning of Christmas is reduced to a mere excuse to keep the consumer machine running.

Catalonia recorded an annual price increase lower than the Spanish average in November, which puts the Catalan inflation rate below the national rate for the ninth consecutive month, according to data from the Consumer Price Index (CPI, the indicator that measures the cost of living for families) published this Friday by the National Institute of Statistics.

We're now on the cusp of Christmas, one of the times of year with the highest consumption of sparkling wines. Except for Champagne, the most prestigious in the world, sparkling wines from elsewhere struggle to gain traction in countries with a strong winemaking tradition like Spain. But even here, Prosecco has emerged, one of Italy's greatest successes in the world of food and wine. Even if you've never had a glass, you might have tasted it if you've had a Spritz. This popular orange cocktail, made with Aperol, Prosecco, and soda water, is prepared according to one of its most classic recipes.

Rivas has very clear ideas and delivers bold statements: "You don't have the right to a Louis Vuitton just as you don't have the right to drink expensive wines" or "Wine is agriculture, not for speculators or rentiers. If you want to ruin it by drinking four-euro wines, I don't want you for the sake of wine, nor do I want you to drink from me."