FAS proposed to limit the rise in food prices. As Forbes learned, on August 13, the department held a meeting with representatives of retail chains, at which steps were discussed to adjust trade margins, including the preparation of a relevant bill.
On the same day, a representative of the department reported on unscheduled field checks in the retail chains Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel, Lenta and Magnit. The FAS pointed out that the purpose of the inspections is "to prevent an unreasonable increase in the cost of socially significant food products", which may be caused by collusion.
According to a source familiar with the details of the negotiations, legislative changes on mark-ups are needed to "increase transparency." Despite the preparation of the bill, the networks have been asked to adjust the markups on a voluntary basis. Next week, there is a new meeting at the FAS, where a list of goods and a methodology for adjusting their markup will be expected from the chains, says the source of Forbes.
At the end of July, President Vladimir Putin called on the FAS, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the heads of regions to actively monitor the situation with food prices. At a meeting on Friday, FAS representatives reported the results. According to them, the markups are significant: millet - 44%, beets - 41%, tea - 40%, rye bread - 30%, says a Forbes source familiar with the details of the negotiations.
According to Forbes, a source - a representative of one of the major retailers, the meeting on margins was "moral and political". “After that, a check is carried out whether the networks comply with the instructions, and following the results of the check - the consequences (in case of non-fulfillment - fines, sanctions, and so on). Now under close scrutiny are those networks that were in yesterday's news [X5, Magnit, Lenta] ", - says the source of Forbes.
How the adjustment affects the market
“There are already bills and a government decree that allow us to regulate prices. But from a legal point of view, it is almost impossible to do anything with markups in the networks now, ”says a source close to one of the participants in the meeting.
“Regulation of pricing is a detrimental story for trade in general, because when you fix the minimum mark-up on any product, then it needs to be compensated for in something else. In addition, it interferes with the agreements between retailers and suppliers, ”says a source of Forbes, a representative of a large retailer, outraged. On the other hand, according to him, the "huge" diversification of the assortment allows you to play with prices. Retail chains periodically revise the cost of goods, especially socially significant ones, because a decrease in the markup can generate customer traffic, adds a Forbes interlocutor.
A representative of Lenta confirmed the meeting for Forbes. The representative of "Azbuka Vkusa" said that he was not aware of the meeting. Lenta, Metro CC and X5 Retail Group declined to comment. Forbes sent inquiries to Vkusville and Magnit.