The Association of Non-Food Traders (ATNS) warns that new regulatory mechanisms risk depriving citizens of store discounts under the guise of fighting speculation. In an official statement to the Minister of Economy, Investment and Industry, Alexander Pulev, the association expressed concerns that an indirect ban on promotions is being prepared. The proposed methodology for justifying prices is part of the measures to prepare Bulgaria for the euro and aims to stop unjustified price hikes.
However, traders see this as an attempt to punish honest businesses, as the approach recognizes only the direct costs of goods as "justified" price increases, while completely ignoring factors such as competition, scarcity, and supply and demand. The Executive Director of ATNS, attorney Galin Popov, points out: "With the proposed rules, the state will practically bring it to the point of absurdity where there are no more promotions." According to him, there is a real risk that attempts to attract customers through lower prices could be interpreted against the trader's interest when the price returns to its standard level.
To prevent negative consequences, ATNS puts forward three main demands to the government:
- To remove administrative control over prices, as limiting company profits hinders free economic initiative, and returning to a regular price after a promotion should not be considered a violation.
- To avoid creating unnecessary bureaucracy through requirements for costly economic models to prove costs, and instead establish clear and objective criteria that eliminate the possibility of bureaucratic arbitrariness.
- For the state not to determine the pricing policy of free economic entities; if this is inevitable, the rules must be adopted by law rather than by ordinance.
One of the association's most serious concerns is the state's authority to determine a "fair price" for products in the basic consumer basket. According to the business community, this represents direct state intervention in pricing, which goes far beyond the stated goal of limiting speculation.
The draft from the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry provides for certain basic consumer goods to fall under supervision if their price deviates by more than 10 percent from the so-called fair value. The media has noted this mechanism.
The new pricing rules in stores could directly affect product prices and the availability of promotions for consumers in Burgas and the region.
"We support the fight against unfair practices. However, we insist that the Ministry of Economy revise the methodology so that consumer protection does not destroy competition and the free market. The state must protect both consumers and traders," emphasized attorney Galin Popov.