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Consumer Association Criticizes Limited Product Range in e-Kalathi Platform

Published January 12, 2026, 10:17
Consumer Association Criticizes Limited Product Range in e-Kalathi Platform

The Cyprus Consumer Association has expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the e-kalathi platform, due to the limited number of products it includes. It points out that large supermarkets with island-wide coverage list very few products, which does not meet consumer expectations and restricts their choices. Furthermore, the Association reports that price differences between stores of the same supermarket chain have been observed, a phenomenon that did not exist until August 2025 and is likely due to increased competition in certain areas. This differentiation makes it difficult to compare prices and choose the best offer. According to the Association's data, the percentage difference in the total cost of common products between the supermarket with the highest and lowest price has gradually decreased in recent months: from 13% in July 2025 to 4.6% in December 2025. This trend indicates a convergence of prices between supermarkets. However, the Association emphasizes that the e-kalathi is not being fully utilized by consumers, as it does not yet offer a complete and substantial price comparison. The limited variety of products and price differentiation are obstacles to the effective use of the tool.