TIRANA, Oct. 12 /ATA/ – Albania has launched an online price comparison platform listing 238 products across 155 retail outlets, as the government seeks to boost price transparency, promote competition and ease pressure on household budgets.
Economy and Innovation Minister Delina Ibrahimaj presented the “Price Transparency” platform, known in Albanian as “Pasqyra e Çmimeve”, and the related “SAVE” (KURSE) initiative at an event attended by Prime Minister Edi Rama.
Ibrahimaj said the platform would allow consumers to compare prices across participating supermarket chains and identify outlets offering the lowest prices.
The platform lists 238 products across 13 categories, with prices that can be checked at 155 outlets nationwide, Ibrahimaj said.
The initiative was developed in cooperation with five supermarket chains – SPAR, Conad, Big Market, Xhangolli and Extra Market – which have agreed to make their product prices transparent.
“Today we are presenting the online Price Transparency platform, which will help consumers see where prices are lowest and decide where to shop for those products at lower prices,” Ibrahimaj said.
The 13 categories were selected based on products commonly found in Albanian households’ shopping baskets. They include sugar, cooking oil, flour, cereals, pasta, beans, lentils, yoghurt, eggs, butter and chicken, as well as detergents and personal hygiene products.
Ibrahimaj said the platform would enable consumers to compare prices easily from their phones, without having to visit individual stores.
The minister also presented the “SAVE” initiative, which was developed following discussions with retailers, importers, producers and other participants in the supply chain.
Under the initiative, prices for 212 products will remain fixed until Jan. 12 across the five participating supermarket chains.
Price reductions vary by product, with discounts reaching 40% in some cases, while others carry reductions of 20-22% or 10%, Ibrahimaj said.
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