The arrival of new retail chains could increase competition in Serbia, as Fix Price plans to open its first stores already this year, while Eurospin is expected later
When Lidl entered the Serbian market in 2018, the question arose as to how the "German cold model" would go over with local consumers accustomed to neighborly chats over a delicacy. Today, eight years later, Lidl not only holds the largest market share and is the first choice of a large number of households throughout Serbia, but has also become a social barometer - a place where real purchasing power is measured.
Layoffs and resignations, millions of losses, closing of shops, late payments, borrowing from banks. All these are indirect consequences of Vučić's trade margins, which were presented to the relevant minister by traders of smaller domestic chains at a meeting closed to the public, "Vreme" learns.
The government's new measures have led to uneven results: in some places basic foods are sold much cheaper, in other places they have become more expensive, and in some markets the stock catalog no longer even exists.
As of September 1, basic food items in some markets have become drastically cheaper - milk, bread, yogurt, oil and eggs can be bought for less than 600 dinars, while in other stores the reductions are barely noticeable.
"Vremena" interviewees warn that due to the administrative limitation of margins, traders could seek satisfaction before the Constitutional Court, but also that there is no effective enough way to prevent them from compensating for the loss of margins in another way
The Consumer Protection Association "Effectiva" called on consumers in Serbia to boycott the DIS trade chain for a week.
The specter of the boycott of trade chains began in Croatia. From there, it spread to the region. How do citizens live in Serbia and the region (Croatia, BiH and Montenegro)? What is the price/earnings ratio? Finally, how effective was the trade boycott action? "Vreme" spoke with economic experts throughout the region
After the one-day, consumer association Effectiva called for a five-day boycott of large retail chains. The reason is high prices, and the previous boycott of shops resulted in a decrease in turnover by a third
After a relatively successful boycott of large retail chains on January 31, in some supermarkets, contrary to the intentions of the boycott, the prices of certain products were increased. That's why the Association for Consumer Protection of Effectiva called for a new five-day boycott, from February 10 to 14
The action of the state and the supermarket chains that the same state accuses of being "sluts" ends.
The Prime Minister of Serbia, Miloš Vučević, referred to the increase in the prices of drugs and medicines and insisted that the state is not responsible for it. He directed the anger of the citizens at the traders because they are "taking the skin off the backs of the citizens".
Proceedings against "Deleuze", "Mercator S", "Univerexport-import" and "DIS" may have significant consequences if it is determined that these companies have violated competition protection laws or participated in illegal activities
Do you remember the famous "two eggs" of Minister Momirović? Well, there is every chance that those "two eggs", before the price reduction, were in one of the markets that were part of the organized price fixing, as claimed by the Commission for the Protection of Competition
Proceedings were initiated against the Deleuze, Mercator, Univerexport and DIS retail chains due to the suspicion that they illegally agreed on the prices of certain products. These four companies hold more than half of the retail market in Serbia
Proceedings have been initiated against four retail chains for violating competition on the market by concluding a restrictive agreement, i.e. agreeing on the same prices for certain products
The Labor Law states that the working week lasts five days, but in practice, traders usually work six days a week, often overtime, because there are not enough workers. However, that overtime does not bring any significant earnings
In Serbia, food is significantly more expensive than in the region, so the Government will announce specific measures for fairer prices of the most necessary foodstuffs in the next ten days. How "fair" they can be is another question. As well as how many citizens of Serbia are forced to save on food
Household budgets are shrinking, and the profits of retail chains are rising. As they look for reasonably priced goods to meet their basic needs, more and more shoppers feel that food companies are trying to rip them off. Among the numerous tricks, the latest phenomena of "shrinkflation" and "skimpflation" stood out.
