site.btaUPDATED CITUB Pushes for Legislative Changes on Price Tags in Stores

The Confederation of Independent Trade Unions in Bulgaria (CITUB) continues to insist on legislative changes in the way retailers display the prices of goods, president of the trade union organization Plamen Dimitrov told journalists in Albena Resort on Saturday. According to him, the price tags of all products in stores should display not only the seller's price but also the manufacturer’s or importer’s price. “Someone needs to explain how mineral water that costs BGN 0.28 at the manufacturer ends up costing 1.20 leva in the store and how many middlemen it has passed through to reach that price,” Dimitrov said.

He pointed out that CITUB has been monitoring prices for years and making similar observations, but now this will happen more often, with three basic products – mineral water, coffee and snacks – being added to the basic twenty items. The reason is that these are particularly sensitive products that have not been specifically monitored. “It is clear that there is a trend towards rising prices. Only systematic action and coordination between state institutions, employers and trade unions can stop it,” Plamen Dimitrov added.

“The latest data from the National Revenue Agency shows that profiteering continues, which can be regulated,” he said. Regarding the revenue agency's data on a 40% increase in mineral water prices, he pointed out that this applies only to a few areas in the country. “There are no such increases everywhere, but it is a sign of a trend,” Dimitrov noted.

CITUB is starting monthly monitoring of the main goods in the consumer basket during the country's transition to the eurozone. Plamen Dimitrov also pointed out that the Confederation has already signed an agreement with the Commission for Protection of Competition and is setting up a relevant Public Council. The idea is for the institutions to collect and exchange information generated by the National Revenue Agency, initially on a weekly basis and later once every two weeks.

Chair of the Consumer Protection Commission Maria Filipova expressed support in a press release later on Saturday for CITUB's proposal to achieve greater price transparency by indicating the various components of the final price. “This practice gives consumers a clearer idea of the value of goods and how the final price is formed. We believe that displaying additional price elements, such as the delivery price, can contribute to greater transparency and trust in commercial practices. We would like to remind you that back in February we put forward a similar idea, aimed at encouraging retailers to indicate the price at which they purchased the goods from the supplier as a guide for consumers. The Commission remains committed to more informed choices and fair market behaviour.