Skopje, 18 April 2025 (MIA) - Amendments to the Consumer Protection Law requiring supermarkets, pharmacies, electronics and furniture stores to publish the prices of their products on their websites take effect on Friday.

A rulebook drafted by the Ministry of Economy and Labor states that retail stores have to publish the prices of their products in a clear and accessible way on their websites. The prices should be accessible without a need for the user to register or login to the website. 

Stores have to update the prices of their products daily, i.e., each working day by 10 a.m. In case of an unintentional technical issue with the price updates, the store has 24 hours to resolve the issue.

In case of discounts or promotions, the store has to publish the regular price of the product, the discounted percentage or amount, as well as the duration of the promotion or discount.

According to the authorities, the amendments will ensure transparency, greater competitiveness and price reduction.

"Amendments to the law entered into force on March 4 and 45 days after the legislation was published in the Official Gazette, retail and wholesale companies should publish the current product price on their websites starting April 18," Minister of Economy and Labour Besar Durmishi told a press conference on Wednesday.

The Association of Private Pharmacies requested on Thursday an exemption from this decision, noting that pharmacies should not be treated as ordinary retailers.

"We would like to note that pharmacies are not classic retail stores, but health institutions at the primary health care level, where licensed health personnel, masters in pharmacy and pharmaceutical technicians work. Our primary role is to provide health services and pharmaceutical care for patients, through issuing medications and counseling on the use of medications, monitoring therapy and educating citizens, and not to engage in trade in the classic sense," said Biljana Bozhinovska, member of the Executive Board of the Association of Private Pharmacies. 

The amendments to the Consumer Protection Law were adopted at a session of the Parliament held on February 25. Croatia has also adopted a similar law.

Photo: MIA archive