The FAS is preparing a bill limiting the growth of food prices

‘There are already draft laws and a government decree that allow us to regulate prices. But it is almost impossible from a legal point of view to do something about the margins in retail chains now,’ reported the source to the publication.

A TASS source in retail confirmed that the meeting in the FAS took place on August 13. According to him, ‘the FAS considered various options for influencing the trade margin.’

Earlier, the FAS reported that it conducts anti-cartel inspections of the retail chains Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, Karusel, Lenta and Magnit. The inspections were initiated on the appeals of citizens about the increase in prices, as well as in order to prevent an unjustified increase in the cost of socially important food products.

The turnover of the audited organizations by the end of 2020 exceeds 4 trillion rubles. Thus, the fine for the retail chains may amount to more than 600 billion rubles. 

On August 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed the antimonopoly service to monitor the formation of prices for products sold through retail chains.