A government-supported website for comparing supermarket prices in Cyprus has not worked as planned, according to a consumer group. The platform, called e-kalathi, was launched earlier this year to help shoppers find the best deals and encourage competition. However, the Cyprus Consumers' Association says it has largely failed to reduce grocery prices.
The goal of e-kalathi was to create more transparency in the market. It allows people to compare the prices of around 200 basic products from the main supermarket chains online. Officials hoped this would push stores to lower their prices, helping families with their shopping budgets during a time of high inflation.
After studying data from several months, the consumer group found disappointing results. Although the price difference between the cheapest and most expensive supermarkets has become smaller, this is not for a good reason. The analysis shows that cheaper supermarkets have raised their prices, rather than expensive ones lowering theirs. So, the overall cost for shoppers has not improved.
The website also has other problems. Critics say the list of products is too limited, as large stores only show a small part of their full range. This might hide their true pricing. Another confusing issue is that some chains now have different prices for the same product in different branches, making fair comparisons difficult for users.
The Consumers' Association states clearly that e-kalathi has not met its main objectives after six months. While it is still a useful tool for checking prices, it has not created stronger competition across the market. This situation shows how difficult it is to control retail markets, even with digital tools. The findings will likely lead to discussions about how to improve the website and create real competition for groceries in Cyprus.