“Basket” of 50 different products necessary for the life of the household, the prices of which will try to contain growth as much as possible, will represent Supermarket until the end of October at the Ministry of Development and Investment. This was agreed at a meeting held today by the Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiades with representatives of SELPE and ESEE supermarkets.

The minister said that today’s meeting resulted in the aforementioned agreement, but he will also hold a meeting with industry representatives next week to limit the increase.

This basket, which will consist of 20 main categories and will be different for each network, according to the minister, will include 50 products necessary for the life of the household. There will be a fight to lower prices.

Mr. Georgiadis indicated that a price “freeze” was not discussed as, as he noted, “the freeze is not in their hands. We will have a meeting with the entire industry next week to see how the industry can contribute to curbing growth.” prices.” And he added: “I believe that everyone understood the magnitude of the need to keep the basic products for the life of the Greeks at the lowest possible level.”

The Minister also clarified that this is not a “gentleman’s agreement.” Each network will make its own policy. We do not violate competition law. It’s something we would never do.”

During the meeting, the issue of sufficiency of production was also discussed and it was confirmed that there were no problems with deliveries to the market.

“This is a question that concerns several European countries in the current circumstances and I want to thank them because the Greek market, as during the pandemic, has managed to stand out and not have problems with shortages, now it will succeed in a full supply of products, despite the very large international pressure on various types of products. This is the result of the very good work that they have done all the previous months in order to have sufficient stocks that create a safety index for the Greek consumer,” the minister said.

There was also a discussion about energy and measures that will help reduce electricity costs, and Mr. Georgiadis said that: “There will be no power outages in Greece. We are fully prepared for this. We will be one of the lucky energy countries thanks to the good work of the government, and we do not have such problems,” while he added that “the government will stay close to the sector to solve institutional problems, as well as problems that arise along the way. so that we can continue our good cooperation, but we will also enforce these decisions as strictly as possible.”

Finally, the Minister reiterated that DIMEA’s control will be continuous and intense on the rate of return on important products for the world’s livelihood in these difficult conditions.

Store hours do not change

“The government does not intend to reduce store watch. This possibility is not discussed, which, if used, would have adverse consequences for both the labor market and the turnover of stores.” This was stated by the Minister of Development and Investment Adonis Georgiades before the start of a scheduled meeting with Supermarkets, Department Stores and Chain Stores (SELPE) and Merchants (ESEE) to discuss inflation rates and accuracy.

The Minister stated in detail: “The issue of reducing the hours of operation in stores has arisen at the initiative of various trade associations in the context of saving energy costs. The government does not intend to reduce store opening hours. This possibility is not discussed, the use of which would have negative consequences for both the labor market and the turnover of stores. The time of crisis is not the time to create problems for the workers, but the time to solve the problems of the workers. And the potential savings of an hour or two of store operation would be very small compared to the damage it would do to the market. So no such question arises. In any case, if someone wants to work fewer hours than they should, that’s their right.”

“With regard to trade association initiatives on the issue of watches, I want to clarify that the country’s official hours are a national responsibility and are determined by the Ministry of Development in accordance with the law. If an industry association wants to introduce a different time for its members, it is not the business of the state, and fines cannot be imposed on whoever works with national time. This agreement between them is on a voluntary basis. For the state, the schedule is what we define and it is what applies,” added Mr. Georgiadis.

Controls

Regarding inflation, the minister noted that the entire market knows that there has never been so much control and added: “We fully understand the pressure on households caused by inflation and the energy crisis. We are here with the market to find solutions within the limits of our ability to save our fellow citizens from this crisis.”

Referring to the DIMEA control measures, he said they were unstoppable – and would continue – while based on the data he presented from April to the end of September, it appears that 3,831 inspections, 283 violations were carried out to prevent the phenomena of speculation. identified. were found and 397,305 euros were imposed.

Recall that, as he wrote earlier, moneyreview.grThe measure to cut store hours does not find fertile ground in the government’s economic apparatus, as it is clear that this will require a new round of assistance to businesses that will be affected, ie. the whole market.

The scenario presented on the table called for a one-hour reduction in the opening hours of stores in the country so that they would close at 8 p.m. instead of 9pm. it is applicable today.

What have trade associations suggested?

However, yesterday, the Thessaloniki Chamber of Commerce, in a statement, proposed to reduce opening hours from October 10 and, in particular, to open shops at 10 am. and close at 16:00. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday and at 19:00. on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. “Local trade associations offer, but not necessarily, watches that they feel serve their own market. The main thing is whether the intention of the state will intervene in the so-called national time, ”a representative of the leading Greek trade organization commented to MR.

Late last night, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Stavros Kafounis, issued a written statement on the possibility of reducing the opening hours of commercial stores, indicating that the measure should be horizontal, automatically subsidized, have a limited effect, but also be able to operate flexibly.

^{According to moneyreview.gr, APE-MPE}