Green Party Proposes Mandatory Price Comparison App for Grocery Shopping

The Green Party parliamentary group has put forward a proposal aimed at improving price transparency within the grocery sector through the introduction of a mandatory price comparison application. This initiative is designed to empower consumers to compare live prices of food products across major supermarket chains via a digital platform.

Under the proposal, the largest supermarket chains would be legally required to participate in the app, ensuring their current prices are accessible and updated in real time. Smaller retailers would have the option to participate voluntarily. The aim is to level the playing field for consumers, particularly as supermarket chains increasingly consolidate market power.

The suggested app would not only display price information, but also notify users about any changes in product packaging sizes. This feature responds to a common retail practice where food package sizes are reduced while prices remain unchanged, a tactic that can make it difficult for consumers to detect effective price increases. The app would highlight when and how such changes occur, increasing transparency around true product costs.

Currently, consumers can compare unit prices at the shelf, as required by law, but the process requires physical presence at the store and a degree of consumer know-how. The Green Party's proposal seeks to lower the barrier to price awareness by providing easily accessible, up-to-date information through a mobile application.

Another component of the initiative involves potential regulatory measures to cap supermarket profit margins during periods of economic hardship. The Green Party contends that, in times of crisis, supermarkets often apply additional markups to already rising prices, impacting household budgets. By introducing mechanisms to limit excessive profit-taking, the proposal aims to protect consumers from disproportionate price hikes during challenging periods.

Beyond consumer interests, the proposal addresses concerns within the agricultural sector. The Green Party seeks to prohibit supermarkets from purchasing products below production costs, a practice that can squeeze farmers and agricultural producers. By enforcing fair purchasing standards, the initiative is intended to support the financial stability of domestic farmers and discourage unfair competitive practices.

The current market structure is highly concentrated, with four major conglomerates controlling the majority of the grocery market. The Green Party's plan also includes measures to prevent further consolidation among supermarket chains, aiming to safeguard competition and prevent monopolistic behavior.

Consumer education remains an important aspect of the proposal, but the Green Party emphasizes that transparency tools such as the app should make fair pricing accessible without requiring extensive background knowledge or research from shoppers. The initiative is positioned as a step towards more equitable and transparent retail practices in the German grocery sector.