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From the 10th of February this year, supermarkets across Cyprus have been participating in a pilot phase of the e-kalathi electronic platform, with plans to roll it out to consumers by March 4. This new platform is set to be a game-changer for shoppers, providing a transparent and easy way to compare prices and make informed choices while shopping.
The Director of the Consumer Protection Service (CPC), Constantinos Karagiorgis, shared with CNA that the goal is to make e-kalathi accessible on smartphones. “We’re working on making the platform mobile-friendly,” he said, adding that by March 4, at least one Android app should be available for consumers to use on their phones.
One of the key features of e-kalathi is that it will allow consumers to access real-time pricing for 478 products from participating supermarkets.
The platform will not just be a one-time launch; it will be continuously updated to meet the evolving needs of consumers. “What we’re offering on March 4 will be just the beginning,” Karagiorgis explained. “It will be a dynamic platform that gets better over time.”
One of the key features of e-kalathi is that it will allow consumers to access real-time pricing for 478 products from participating supermarkets. With the platform, shoppers can compare prices, check them at any time, and make choices that suit their budgets. The system will be available 24/7, making it easy for consumers to shop wisely, no matter where they are.
The pilot phase, which wraps up today, February 20, has already proven successful, according to Karagiorgis. It allowed the team to test the platform with supermarkets and work out any bugs before the public launch. “The purpose of this pilot phase was to get the supermarkets connected to the platform and see how it performs,” he said. “There have been some small technical issues, but we’ve been working daily with the contractor to fix them.”
Today, the pilot phase will end, and the system will be temporarily shut down for improvements. Once the platform is up and running for consumers on March 4, it will be fully ready to help them find the best deals.
Consumers will have several options when using the platform. They can search for products by price, from the cheapest to the most expensive, and compare prices across different supermarkets. The platform also allows users to filter by location, ensuring that they can compare prices at nearby stores. Once they’ve selected their desired items, users can view a price comparison of those products by supermarket.
Supermarkets nationwide have been actively involved in this effort, and Karagiorgis thanked them for their participation and creativity in the project. “The supermarkets have really contributed to making this platform a reality,” he said, noting that around 22 entities are part of the project.
With the launch of the e-kalathi platform, consumers can look forward to more transparency, better price comparisons, and a smarter way to shop. If all goes according to plan, the platform could be a powerful tool in helping families save money and make informed purchasing decisions.
