North Macedonia mandates online price listings for markets

From mid-April, all large and medium-sized markets in North Macedoniaare required to publish product prices online, so that citizens can see them in advance and choose which market they will shop at, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.

In the coming days, the government decision will be published in the Official Gazette, while the regulations according to which the markets must operate will be published. Fines are foreseen for those who do not respect the measures.

"It is worth emphasizing that this law will enter into force only for retail, medium and large traders. Excluding micro traders and individual traders, namely neighborhood stores. The fines that will vary for all those traders who will not respect this decision are from 500 to 10,000 euros, including the closure of markets for 15 days," said Besar Durmishi - Minister of Economy.

Minister Durmishi announced that a procedure for violations has been opened against four supermarket chains, which, as he said, together with the League of Chambers of Commerce have entered into price-fixing agreements. For this, the sanctions could reach millions of euros, or 10% of annual revenues.

"It has conducted ad hoc inspections and has come across four large supermarket chains in these markets that have agreed in violation of Article 7 of the Consumer Protection Law. They have agreed to set a price or not accept a new price from suppliers, this affects the market and competition," said Besar Durmishi - Minister of Economy.

A margin of 5% was set for 8 product groups. A margin of 10% for 55 product groups, while a margin of 15% for 39 product groups.

After the approval of these measures and legal changes, Minister Durmishi said that no one has contacted them from the new chamber of commerce for wholesale and retail sales.

The latter described the government measures as unacceptable, saying that their existence and that of around 9000 employees are at risk.