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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.

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Bank Of England Holds Rates At 3.75% In Split Vote As Inflation Risks Rise

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 17, 2026

The Bank of England kept its benchmark interest rate at 3.75% on Thursday, but the decision was not unanimous. In a 6-3 vote, the Monetary Policy Committee kept rates unchanged, while three members backed a 25-basis-point increase to 4%. Renewed energy price pressures have added to concerns that inflation could remain elevated.

Inflation Pressures Remain

Policymakers said inflation “is likely to rise further over coming quarters,” citing higher and more volatile crude oil and refined energy prices since the conflict began.

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So far, there has been “little evidence” of significant second-round effects, such as broader wage and price increases. Inflation risks, however, are now “tilted to the upside” and have increased since the July Monetary Policy Report.

Energy Prices Add To Inflation Risks

Brent crude has risen 36% since July, reaching $106 a barrel on Sept. 14, while UK wholesale gas prices increased 78% to 207 pence per therm.

Higher energy costs can feed into transport, production and household expenses, raising costs across supply chains. Refinery pressures have also pushed crack spreads, the difference between refined fuel and crude prices, well above pre-conflict levels.

Economy Shows Resilience

Despite the inflation risks, UK economic activity has held up slightly better than the Bank expected. A softer labor market and higher borrowing costs are expected to help reduce inflation over time.

Previous monetary tightening is still working through the economy, according to policymakers. So far, the latest energy shock has not produced clear evidence of a broader wage-price spiral.

Major Central Banks Take Different Paths

The decision comes during a busy period for global monetary policy. The Federal Reserve raised rates Wednesday to 3.75%-4% in its first increase since 2023, while the European Central Bank recently lifted its deposit rate to 2.5%.

The Bank of Japan is due to announce its decision Friday, with markets expecting a rate increase. Thursday’s split vote shows that pressure for tighter policy remains within the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee.