Ingrid Fiskaa, the economic policy spokesperson for the Socialist Left Party (SV) in Norway, has called for the establishment of a price portal for essential goods such as milk and bread. She expresses frustration over the lack of transparency in food pricing, particularly criticizing the intricate loyalty programs used by grocery chains. According to Fiskaa, these programs complicate the understanding of true food costs, creating a situation where retailers can obscure price increases from consumers.

The call for clearer pricing comes after a January report delivered to the Norwegian government that highlighted the complications associated with current discount and loyalty schemes. Alexander Schjøll, the research leader who authored the report, noted that the overall picture of pricing is quite convoluted, contributing to consumer confusion. Fiskaa agrees, suggesting that the complexity of these bonus systems not only misleads consumers but also enables retailers to raise prices unnoticed.

To address these issues, SV proposes that the government implement regulations ensuring loyalty programs are fair and comparable. Furthermore, they advocate for mandatory reporting of food prices, which would facilitate the creation of effective price portals. This initiative aims to enhance consumer protection by fostering transparency in pricing, ultimately empowering consumers with better information about what they pay for staple goods.