State-Owned Low-Cost Food Stands Launch in Plovdiv Following Cancellation of “Store for the People”

Instead of the country’s first “Store for the People,” originally planned to open in Bulgaria's second largest city of Plovdiv, affordable groceries will now be offered only at selected stands within the retail network. The change comes after the Regional Consumer Organisation NARKOOP declined to participate in the pilot project. Meanwhile, in the Plovdiv distict, over 70 stores have begun stocking stands with lower-priced products.

Forty-five essential items are now available at the stands, supplied under agreement with the Central Cooperative Union.

Lazar Filchev, Chairman of the Plovdiv Regional Cooperative Union, said: “At this stage, the assortment includes 45 products. There is potential for expansion, but this will likely happen after the New Year.”

The products that are being stocked are from Bulgarian producers and are cheaper than those in mass retail outlets.

Filchev added: “I can say that currently the average markup for these products will be around 25% lower than standard store prices.”

For example, cooking oil is sold at BGN 2.79 instead of BGN 3.99, and 'Dobrudzha' bread is priced at BGN 1.49 instead of BGN 2.55.

Sales staff report strong demand for the discounted items. Daniela Petrova, a shop assistant, said: “The bread sells out quickly. Given the price, people are buying it.”

In nearby supermarkets, regular bread prices exceed BGN 2.

When asked, shoppers said:

“It varies. Some are 2.20 BGN, some more expensive, some cheaper. The cheapest is 1.99 BGN.”

Most residents are still unaware of the state-supported stands and their lower prices, relying instead on promotions in regular stores for essential goods. Comments included:

“I wait for a promotion. Regular prices? Never. Usually it means the product is slightly damaged.”

“From pension to pension, we budget carefully.”

“Prices have risen. You notice it — prices of milk, eggs have gone up a lot.”

For now, no price increases are planned for the products offered at the state-owned stands, with lower prices made possible through direct sales from producers.

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