Italian consumers associations hailed as a success the country's first consumers' spending boycott, in protest at inflation allegedly caused by the changeover to the euro

Italian consumers associations hailed as a success the country's first consumers' spending boycott, in protest at inflation allegedly caused by the changeover to the euro. Trade organisations reported takings were down by between a quarter and a half in many Rome supermarkets - although the smaller shopkeepers did not appear to be suffering from any lack of customers. A sit-in outside the government's statistical office in Rome, organised by four consumer groups, failed to attract many protesters, although the shopping boycott was widely reported in the newspapers, and on television. Consumer groups had asked Italians to refrain from making normal purchases for 24 hours to protest against the price increases which everyone is aware of in food, clothing and many consumer articles. The government's statistical office maintains that inflation is currently running at only about 2% a year, while many trade organisations are reporting price rises of up to 10%.