Retail chains in Georgia have begun offering discounted prices on selected essential goods under what is being referred to as a “social basket,” inspired by Greece’s “Household Basket” model. The initiative followed recommendations from a parliamentary price commission, which studied European approaches to managing inflation without strict price controls.
In Greece, the original model introduced in 2022 requires large retail chains to offer a set list of essential products at competitive prices, using a reference pricing system rather than direct state-imposed price caps. The goal is to ensure affordability while preserving market competition.
In Georgia, a similar approach has been introduced in a more flexible form. Retailers individually select which products to include in the basket, while commonly discounted items include oil, rice, pasta, eggs, sugar, bread, dairy products, and meat. Unlike the Greek system, there is no mandatory standardized list, and participation is based on voluntary coordination among market chains.
According to the Retail Association, Georgian companies have started implementing these discounts as part of a “social responsibility” effort. Supporters of the policy argue that it mirrors the Greek model’s focus on competition-based price stability, while critics note that Georgia’s version is less regulated and varies across chains, making its overall impact more difficult to measure.
