Skopje, 7 February 2025 (MIA) – Large supermarkets will face a fresh boycott Friday by consumers following last week’s boycott, which saw supermarket chains reporting plunging sales by almost 50 percent. Amid the fresh calls for boycott due to surging prices of groceries, authorities said they will reveal measures either today or on Monday. 

The State Market Inspectorate by the end of this week should complete six-month inspections that involve distributors, suppliers, producers and retailers. 

“The whole process is being inspected, the margin established by retailers for a six-month period is looked into. Based on this report from the inspectorate, the government will take adequate measures,” said the Economy Minister Besar Durmishi. 

Boycotting of shops is a legitimate thing, he said.

“I understand why it is being organized because certain entities are trying to generate huge profits off of citizens’ back. This will not be tolerated. We’ll inform you what we are going to do next, we are prepared to take all measures at a disposal so as to prevent such unpleasant situations from happening,” Durmishi told yesterday’s press briefing.

The Association of Chambers of Commerce (SSK) has said that supermarkets operate with minimum margins, noting suppliers and producers hold the power to set prices. Citing findings from an analysis, SSK says that supermarkets operate with an average profit margin of 0.83 percent, while on average, producers and suppliers report 4.32 percent. Some suppliers report profit margins over 13 percent whereas supermarkets remain under 3 percent, says SSK.

“Supermarkets are not responsible for the surge in prices. The main price power is in the hands of suppliers and producers that report significantly rising profits, while supermarkets operate with minimum margins,” says SSK. 

Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski has said he supports the boycott and understanding the consumers feeling angry over the price hikes. He expects manufacturers, suppliers and retailers to overcome the problem through dialogue. 

The January 31 nationwide boycott of shops slashed sales at the eight largest supermarket chains in the country by 46.59 percent compared to the previous Friday, according to information published by the Public Revenue Office (PRO).

The turnover of the largest supermarkets dropped by 46.29 percent on Friday compared to Thursday.

“Data from the GPRS cash-register system for the recorded cash flow in the eight largest supermarket chains nationwide for January 24, 30 and 31, 2025, shows that yesterday (31.01.2025) until midnight, the PRO’s GPRS system recorded a total turnover of Mden 114.293.357. On Thursday, (30.01.2025) until midnight, the PRO’s GPRS system recoded a total turnover in the amount of Mden 212.782.151, while on Friday (24.01.2025) until midnight, the PRO’s GPRS system recorded a total turnover in the amount of Mden 213.782.151,” the Office said.

A citizens’ initiative urged a boycott of markets nationwide on Friday in protest of the rising prices of food products. The initiative came after a similar boycott was held in Croatia, which has spread across the region to include Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Slovenia. The boycotts have cut sales by half in markets across the region.

MIA file photo