Producers vs large retail chains
The rosy period of unimpeded expansion and concentration of retail chains in the European Union is drawing to an end. Producers and suppliers have finally found a lobby in the EU institutions to take measures against the problem. In early February the European Parliament adopted a resolution against the abuse of power by the big retain chains under pressure from the European associations of food and beverage producers. They convinced the majority in Strasbourg to sign a declaration, which automatically turns into a parliamentary resolution.
The mass expansion of supermarkets and hypermarkets is a relatively new phenomenon and there are no restrictions yet for market dominance, as is in the case of producers. More than 70% of the food market in some European countries is held by four or five retailers, who in practice control the access of farmers and other suppliers to EU consumers.
In Bulgaria, the problem is still in embryo. Marketing surveys show that the large retail chains account for only 20% of the sales, the vice president of Fantastico, Vladimir Nikolov, said. Sooner or later the problem here will inevitably reach the stage that is currently observed in the EU, the president of meat packer Tandem, Kiril Vatev, pointed out. The pressure of the big chains is increasing every year and this is seen in all sectors, the CEO of Parshevitsa dairy, Dimitar Zorov, said.


Bulgarian banks compete for depositors
Allianz Bulgaria is the third bank in Bulgaria to have extended the promotion term of its deposit products in the past month, the first two being ProCredit Bank and First Investment Bank. Allianz Bulgaria explained its decision with the strong consumers' interest in its Deposit Advance product. Specialists, however, say that the promitions are prompted by the liquidity hunger experienced by the Bulgarian financial sector.


Investors in Bansko legalise projects in Sofia
A lot of investors in apartment complexes in Bansko legalise their projects through a state commission in Sofia, because the fees are lower, the mayor of the town, Alexander Kravarov, said. Bansko now collects BGN 10 per sq. m for construction permits and BGN 20 leva per sq. m for putting

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