The digital ‘e-Kalathi’ platform, which was designed to inform consumers about the prices of essential goods and allow them to compare the prices thereof, will be put into operation on a trial basis before Christmas, according to reports on Thursday.

Business news website Stockwatch reported that the platform will likely be launched on December 16, and certainly no later than December 20.

Consumer protection service head Constantinos Karageorgis told Stockwatch that during the trial period, around 450 products from large supermarkets will be added to the platform, while this will expand into the thousands and include all supermarkets with an annual turnover of €5 million when the platform is fully launched.

“The 450 products which will be included in the first phase of e-Kalathi’s operation have already been selected, and today, their codes are being sent to supermarkets so that they can begin to prepare,” he said.

It is currently expected that the platform will be fully operational by July 3 next year, with around 4,000 different products set to be listed. The platform will be accessible via a mobile application and via a website.