ZAGREB, 15 May (Hina) – The government’s decision on the publication of price lists and the display of an additional price – as a measure of direct price control in retail – came into force on Thursday. The decision requires all retailers to display, alongside regular prices, an “anchor price”, the one that was in effect on 2 May.

This obligation applies to all retailers registered for retail trade in Croatia, including those selling online or at markets – with the exception of family farms selling their own products.

Retailers must display the anchor price in leaflets, posters, digital advertisements (both in-store and online), as well as on their websites.

The anchor price refers to the additional retail price that a trader applied to a given fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) on 2 May this year. It does not apply to promotional prices, but to the regular lowest price applied in the previous 30 days.

The obligation covers the following categories of products: food (e.g. pasta, meat, fruit, vegetables, baby food), beverages (water, juices, alcoholic and energy drinks), cosmetics (personal hygiene and body care products), cleaning products (detergents, dishwashing liquids, descalers), toiletries (toilet paper, nappies, sanitary pads),В household products (bin bags, kitchen towels, pet food).

On 2 May, the government adopted a decision requiring retailers to publish updated daily price lists on their websites in formats suitable for automatic processing and comparison, as well as to display anchor prices for items.

These measures – known as the Israeli model of price control – are expected to enable better price comparison between retailers. In effect, they will make it easier to develop price comparison apps, to the benefit of consumers.