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Consumer Watchdog Flags Misleading Price Comparisons On E-Kalathi

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 4, 2026

The Cyprus Consumer Association has raised warnings regarding the potential for misleading price displays on the e-Kalathi platform, a tool initially designed to empower consumers by facilitating hypermarket price comparisons. According to the Association, the discrepancy in pricing information could be steering consumers toward inaccurate conclusions about which retailer offers the lowest prices.

Platform Inception And Diverging Outcomes

Launched in June 2025, e-Kalathi was intended to increase competition among supermarkets and lower consumer costs through transparent price comparisons. Seven months later, however, the platform appears to be delivering mixed results. The Cyprus Consumer Association reports that some listed prices may not accurately reflect actual store pricing, which could mislead customers about overall affordability.

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January 2026 Study: A Closer Look At Pricing Anomalies

A study conducted in January 2026 found that certain products shown on e-Kalathi were priced lower than comparable items not included on the platform. One example involved a strawberry-flavored children’s yogurt dessert. While the platform suggested a competitive price, other flavors sold outside the listing were often more expensive, potentially distorting how consumers interpret value.

Among the supermarkets reviewed — Alpha Mega, Sklavenitis, Athinainitis, Kkolias, Ioannidis, Super Discount and Metro — only Athinainitis and Ioannidis kept consistent pricing across different flavors regardless of platform presence. The study also noted a pricing difference between wholesale and retail levels: a product listed at €2.75 in a manufacturer’s catalogue was regularly sold for under €2 in stores.

Limited Product Overlap: Challenges For Consumers

The study also highlighted that out of seven major hypermarkets referenced in a Consumer Protection Service announcement on January 31, only one tracked a complete set of products on the platform. The remaining stores offered only a subset of products, thereby reducing the accuracy and effectiveness of price comparisons and limiting consumer choice.

Price Differentiation And Market Convergence

Additional findings indicated that some supermarket chains introduced price variations between their branches, a pattern not widely observed before August 2025. This may reflect stronger local competition. At the same time, overall prices for common items have moved closer together, with the gap between the highest and lowest nationwide prices narrowing from 13% in July 2025 to 4.4% in January 2026.

In conclusion, the Cyprus Consumer Association says the pricing inconsistencies observed on e-Kalathi could mislead shoppers about the true cost of their purchases. The findings are based solely on platform data and may require further review to determine the broader impact on consumers.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Alpha Bank Reports Strong Underlying Q1 Performance Despite Capital Pressure

Robust Operational Performance

Alpha Bank’s first quarter 2026 report demonstrates a solid operational foundation, as confirmed by analyses from leading institutions such as Citi, JPMorgan, Jefferies, and Deutsche Bank. Despite an accounting impact from extraordinary one-off costs, the bank’s commercial momentum remains unmistakable, driven notably by fee income and resilient net interest margins.

Capital Position And Extraordinary Items

Quarterly results were weighed down by a lower-than-expected capital ratio and a €47 million expense linked to a voluntary exit program affecting around 350 employees. As a result, net profit totaled €182 million, falling 9% below market consensus. At the same time, the restructuring initiative is expected to generate annual savings of approximately €15 million.

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Operating Metrics And Investor Insights

Analysts highlighted the strength of Alpha Bank’s underlying operations after adjusting for extraordinary items. Adjusted net profit reached €221 million, exceeding market expectations by 2%. Fee income increased 29% year-on-year to €140 million, supported by higher revenue from business lending fees, insurance services, investment banking and wealth management activities. Performing exposures and assets under management also reached record levels during the quarter, reinforcing the bank’s efforts to diversify revenue streams beyond interest income.

Market Valuation And Sector Commentary

Market commentary following the results remained broadly positive despite pressure on some balance-sheet metrics. JPMorgan described the quarter as showing underlying strength, while Deutsche Bank and Jefferies maintained buy recommendations with target prices reaching €4.85. At the same time, analysts continued to monitor pressure on net interest margins and dilution in common equity tier 1 ratios as banks adapt to changing market conditions.

Strategic Outlook

Alpha Bank is expected to provide additional details on its medium-term strategy during its investor day scheduled for the second half of 2026. Key areas of focus are expected to include the sustainability of fee income growth, capital trajectory management and shareholder returns. The bank has also maintained its earnings per share target of €0.40 for 2026, representing projected year-on-year growth of 11%.

First-quarter results highlighted Alpha Bank’s ability to maintain operational momentum despite pressure from one-off costs and capital-related challenges. Growth in fee-based activities and continued expansion in assets under management also reflected the bank’s broader effort to strengthen revenue diversification across its business segments.