The government has launched a new offensive to detect violations of the Fair Prices programme. Yesterday morning the Secretary of Commerce, led by Matías Tombolini, carried out a mega-operation in 336 branches of the Spanish chain Día, of which 3 were closed, and in which 75 minutes were drawn up for alleged infringements. Official sources reported it clarion what in the coming days there will be new “lightning and simultaneous” actions. in other supermarkets, which have not been identified.
In this first operation, which included the AMBA area, Entre Ríos, Salta and Santa Fe, some 370 trade inspectors accompanied by provincial and municipal agents, “carried out compliance checks on supply, signage and prices”. The provision, according to the official press release, “aims to strengthen controls to improve effective compliance with the Fair prices program and thus avoid abuses”.
The biggest concern is the high level of shortages in the 1,900 products agreed with manufacturers, supermarkets and wholesalers to bring down inflation. The government admits it compliance level is 65%. Complaints proliferate at the chains because they say it’s even lower (“about 50% in most cases”) and blame the suppliers for not delivering the goods.
Da Día declined to comment on the closures, though they clarified they are meeting the schedule “regardless of whether it’s the chain that always keeps food prices lower.” In supermarkets, they avoided giving definitions until they knew the scope and consequences of the new controls. “We are used to receiving inspections, what is surprising is the scope of the operation and also for the moment. After the holidays, the offer is increasingly complicated,” said a qualified source in the sector.
For now, Comercio has closed 3 Día stores in the province of Buenos Aires “for various infractions”: Avellaneda, Garín and Bernal (Quilmes). Alongside Tombolini, they ensure that this method, that of carrying out massive and surprise operations on the chains that adhere to Prici Giusti, arises “from a direct indication from the Minister of Economy, Sergio Massa”. And that goes beyond the basket whose prices will be frozen until April. Because products outside the program can increase up to 4% per month, maximum.
In the economics team they are convinced that the “agreed” price controls work. November inflation data (4.9%) was lower than expected and slower than in previous months. they think so the result of multiple agreements with companies and sectors, including textiles, medicines, industrial inputs, electronics and mass consumption, “which will allow a downward path to be established”. To compensate, the government promises to release imports and dollars from reserves as compensation.
Tombolini’s team is enthusiastic about the possibility that in April, as promised by Massa, the inflation rate will be below 4%. And that the cost of living in 2023 is 60%, as shown by the Budget law. Well below the 90% estimated by most private consultants.
Fair Pricing was launched in November and will be in effect through the end of the year, with adjustments planned and negotiated with the 128 member companies. Like other control programs, the basket is concentrated in large supermarket chains, which account for just 30% of sales of food, drink, toiletries and cleaning. The rest is distributed among supermarkets, warehouses and neighborhood businesses, a complex commercial network that is very difficult to control.
Source: Clarin
