Our price labeling law is 23 years old. It is a good law for us, consumers. The price label on the item enables us to easily know the price of an item, make comparisons, take right buying decisions.
The supermarket chains hate this law; it makes it hard for them to raise prices whenever they want. So, when a new economy minister takes over , they immediately start putting pressure on him to cancel it. So far, without success.
Now, I learn from the Media that they're close to winning.The new economy minister (a woman, by the way) is cooperating with the populist proposal that the price be displayed on the shelf only, not sticking a label on the item itself.
Hopefully , the law stays intact, otherwise it will be a blow to the consumer, to competition, and to price stability. This law is of utmost importance , especially now in 2021, as prices are up as a result of the pandemics, and its supply disruptions.
The price tag label gun works intensely these days. In addition to the rise in prices, there's fear of inflation and of shortage in products. So far I see shortage in some imported, non-vital items, but who knows what's next.
There's no market in my hometown, and specially commuting to one in the nearby area is hardly worth it considering the high prices and low variety in today's markets. Our local supermarket is not bad compared to other supermarkets and even to markets. The only drawback is its location, on the edge of the town. I don't want to get on and off a car or bus with my shopping cart, and walking to and fro takes some time and effort.
All the best with the outcome.
ReplyDeleteYou mean the outcome of the debate regarding the labeling law? Thank you. We've got to be on the alert and see that the law stays intact.
DeleteIn our supermarkets the label must be affixed to the shelf or to the bin next to the product.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info. Still, I believe it's best for us the consumers, when the price is attached to the item itself.
DeleteI don't quite understand the difference. Maybe because we have different laws. Also we have what is called price matching. Many stores adhere to this. If we have proof (a flyer, for instance) that another store is selling the same product for a lower price, the store we are at will match the price.
DeleteHave to read more about this issue so I can understand it better. : )
Catarina, I'm not referring to price matching, just to the place of the price label. For us, the consumers, it's easier to know the price if it's attached to the item itself.
DeleteI know you were not referring to price matching. I just added that info.
DeleteI am so used to see the price on the shelf that it doesn't make a difference. The shelves are so well organized that it is easy to know the price of the items they are referring to. : )
I'm glad things in your stores are well organized, and that it makes no difference to the customer where the price is located. Well, that's Canada for you.
DeleteThis is what I found. Will read it again tomorrow. : )
ReplyDeletehttps://www.haaretz.com/opinion/.premium-an-economy-minister-in-service-of-tycoons-not-the-consumer-1.10335373
The items have a bar code so when they are swiped over a scanner its price is “rung up” automatically through that bar code. So the price on the shelf is the same price the scanner indicates. Unless there is a mistake which will be corrected on the spot when we are ready to pay for our groceries.
There is something, some little info that I am missing that prevents me from totally understanding this issue of yours, meaning yours in general, not yours specifically. : ))
I think I should go to bed. I am slow now. Good night, dear Duta.
Our price labeling law requires the price label to be attached to the item, which makes it easier for us, the customers to see it. That's all. In addition. it can also be attached to the shelf, no problem with that. Good night!
DeleteThere is no market in your hometown... that is the key issue! Preferably two markets, so that the markets have to carefully look after customers, in order to keep them from going to the opposition market.
ReplyDeleteNo market - the key issue. I suppose you're right about that. Not having a market is quite a disadvantage.
DeleteOh gosh so items from the supermarket will now rise it seems for you all there.
ReplyDeleteYour system was once ours but many years ago.
Hope all goes well.
I don't know much about systems, but I do feel it when prices go up. Our prices both at markets and supermarkets are climbing now, and that's worrying.
DeleteOh, it's a puzzle the government has control of. When going to places to eat or even getting take out (our favorite Chinese place) we were told the prices were different from then menu because some ingredients were harder to get from other..so you really didn't know how expensive the bill would be. We are also seeing shortages of toilet paper once again, too. Thanks so much for this post.
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in the price of essential items. Prices of meals at eateries are another category.
DeleteAs for shortage, I guess we'll be seeing lack of imported stuff. This could be a positive thing - return to local production.
Local production would be good. Unfortunately, the factories we have here there are lot of people walking off the job because of Union disputes. If its not one thing..it's something.
DeleteThank you so much for your comments.
I'm much in favor of local production. That way, we prevent shortage of stuff, and rise in prices. Import probably gets higher profit for the importers, so they keep 'flirting' with import.
DeleteSo, we won't be alone there. Spain too.
ReplyDeleteWell, everywhere there's this conflict in interests between the customer and the chains wishing to impose their prices on us.
We have this price labelling law too. The bigger supermarket will have the prices on the shelf and we can check the price of any item at the price checker machine. Hope the new minister will not be easily swayed.
ReplyDeleteGood for You!
DeleteAs for our new economy minister. hopefully, as a woman and mother, she'll show more understanding to what's best for the consumer.
Clear pricing makes things simple. Shopping is one of my dreaded chores. I wish I enjoyed it like most women!
ReplyDeleteExactly, Sharon - clear pricing is what we need.
ReplyDeleteAs for shopping, I've always enjoyed it, but as I advance in age, it all becomes more difficult, and there seems to be less joy in it.
Seeing the price stickers on the shelves makes it easier to figure out how much you're spending.
ReplyDeleteThe stickers on our shelves, usually inform us of sale or discount: 1+1 for 11 shekel, 4 pieces for 20 shekel, and so on.I particularly look for this kind of stickers, as I'm interested in the discount.
DeleteI agree it's easier to know the price if it's on the item, sometimes you can get confused if things have moved and the sticker on the shelf doesn't match up to the item you have! There is a store here that does that - not all items are individually priced so when you see a big discount sticker it's always best to check the price. Luckily they have lots of scanners around for you to check before you get to the check out, haha!
ReplyDeleteHope that your week is going well :)
Away From The Blue
Good point, Mica! Sometimes, items get moved, and there's no sticker-item match.
DeleteThanks for wishing me a good week!Hopefully your week is a good one too!
Prices are going up and up here. They have been for a long while, but before it was more subtle. You used to have ice cream in a half gallon container; now the container is just slightly smaller but the same price. Lots of things have an ounce or two less. repackaging. And now, they're just going up. I hope they keep your law in place -- it sounds like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks again for coming by. I don't say it often enough but I really do love your visits!
'subtle', indeed. They raise the prices in a somewhat subtle way, and when we realize that it's already a substantial rise. They'll always find a way to increase their profit.Sigh.
DeleteThank you very much for such an important post! In our country, supermarkets often set a double price: one on the shelf, the other at the checkout. But there is a law that says: the seller must sell the product at the price indicated on the price tag. Not all buyers know about this. But some get their way and force the seller to sell the product at the price indicated on the price tag!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Victoria.
DeleteWell,buyers should check things out and definitely insist on the price indicated on the price tag!
I enjoyed reading this
ReplyDeleteI'm glad. Thank you. Shopping and prices are after all 'our cup of tea', so to speak.
DeleteIt seems world-wide prices are on the increase.
ReplyDeletePricing should be clear, it makes things so much easier doesn't it.
All the best Jan
Sadly, it appears prices are on the increase everywhere. It's not only the corona disruptions, but the Central Bank is expected to stop the quantitative easy program and withdraw the monetary stimulus given during the pandemic.
DeleteI don't quite understand your law. In all European countries the price is on the shelf and on the product. And if you want to buy fruits the price is written per kg on the shelf and then you have to weight it, the balance spits out a price ticket which you have to stick on the paper bag. The supermarket may have different prices but the system is everywher the same. Even on the markets ! But there you can try to haggle ! which nobody does, not uesed to, but I yes, learned it in Italy and later in the North African countries like Egyhpt, Morocco etc.
ReplyDeleteIt's simple. The law requires that the price be on the product. You may, put it in addition, on the shelf, but it has to be , as a rule, on the product.
DeleteI actually like the idea of the price on the product, but here it's on the shelf and sometimes it's hard to find a price for an item. I really appreciate clear pricing whether it's on the item or on the shelf. I shop at the same supermarket, so I know the prices and realize when something gets more expensive - which of course it does, like everywhere. I hope your law will not be changed.
ReplyDeleteClear price in a visible place (on the product)is good for the consumer.
DeleteI too usually shop at the same supermarket, and although it's a bad far, it does have some advantages.
Politics, such a tricky business!
ReplyDeleteI'm used to say of politics what we usually say of money - it's the source of all evil.ן
DeleteEveryone seems to be feeling the pain of higher prices, especially when it come to grocery store items. We use the price on the shelf method in California and I never thought about the fact that it makes it easier for the stores to raise their prices! I remember working in a store when I was a teenager and we had to price items with a pricing gun, it would certainly provide more jobs, but at this time people in California don't seem to want to work. Some stores do let have an app you can use so you can scan an item directly from your phone. It's a brave new covid world we are entering and I'm sure there are many more changes to come in the future.
ReplyDeleteThe thing that worries me most is the price for fruit. Fruit have become very expensive (especially grapes) both at the markets and the supermarkets.
DeleteThe pricing gun is still used at the supermarkets and applies the label directly on the product.
Yes, we'll have to adapt to a new world, brought about by covid-19.
Unfortunately, prices are rising all around, Duta, and the consumer has to become a careful shopper. While I dislike going to separate grocery stores, there are 2 in our area and if one has a very good price on a certain item(s), I will make the effort to go there. Normally, we do most of our grocery shopping at 1 supermarket because the produce and fish are better there. Prices for items are not individually marked, but the shelf is labelled. The exception is items on the clearanc e shelves, which I also check.
ReplyDeleteRight. We have to be careful shoppers. Individually price-marked items definitely help with this matter. Additional shelf labeling is welcome, of course.
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