In the Government, Discussion with Retail Chains on Prices

On Wednesday morning, a meeting began in the Government between Prime Minister Andrej Plenković and five ministers with representatives of retail chains regarding the initiative to return the prices of certain items to the level of the end of last year.

At the meeting were Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure Oleg Butković, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović, Minister of Finance Marko Primorac, Minister of Agriculture Marija Vučković and Minister of Labour, Pension System, Family and Social Policy Marin Piletić.

After the discussions, statements from the participants are expected.

On Tuesday, Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development Davor Filipović held meetings with representatives of ten retail chains, after which he stated that all those he spoke with are ready to support the government initiative to reduce the prices of products from the consumer basket.

The idea, as he said, is to return the total value of the basket of products, which is available on the ministry’s website that tracks price movements, to the level of December 31 of last year.

He noted that not all retailers are the same and that each has its characteristics, and that ‘within the framework of what is possible, this will also be done’.

Some retail chains, as he said, need to make calculations and internal consultations, and ‘some may react as early as Friday’.

Filipović stated that he does not believe that any of the retailers will avoid lowering prices, as that would deceive Croatian citizens, and it is also in the interest of retailers to preserve the purchasing power of citizens.

He explained that it is not about lowering the prices of 360 products, but about the total value of the basket that will be returned to the level of December 31 ‘at some retailers who can do this’, and there are also those who will not be able to do it completely.