From December 16, X5 Retail Group will sell a number of grocery items at no extra charge in its chain stores under the Pyaterochka, Perekrestok and Karusel brands. Bread, beef stew, pasta, potatoes, black tea, cereal and UHT milk will be sold at purchase prices.
“Trading expenses for these goods (including rent, logistics, utility bills, staff salaries) will be covered by the company. Such goods will be marked with special price tags on store shelves,”X5 Retail Group said in a press release.
On December 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin drew attention to the problem of high prices, including for basic foodstuffs. The head of state complained that the problem arose on New Year's Eve, when most Russians are busy planning the menu for the holiday. Putin instructed officials to stabilize the situation and propose a plan for resolving the problem within a week.
On December 15, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed a series of decrees designed to stop the rise in food prices. One of the instructions obliges the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Federal Antimonopoly Service to conclude special agreements with manufacturers and retail chains.
The government also approved new export tariffs for wheat, rye, barley and corn. Exports in excess of quotas will be taxed at a rate of 50% of the customs value of the exported products. Another order of Mishustin provides for the allocation of subsidies for flour producers. Cash aid from the government will help producers recover some of the costs of purchasing grain.
In accordance with another decree from the package of measures, fixed prices for sugar and sunflower oil will be introduced in the European part of Russia. In regions in the Asian part of the country, special correction factors will be introduced.]>
