Scandal with "Stores for the People": Empty Shelves and Huge Salaries? Gyurov Reacts!

29.04.2026 | Statistics and regulation

Acting Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov announced a "state-funded experiment for draining funds" in the "Stores for the People" chain. The Minister of Agriculture reported losses and empty shelves.

Снимка от Maxim75, Wikimedia Commons, под лиценз CC BY-SA 4.0

Acting Deputy Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov raised a heavy topic during the government meeting, related to the functioning of the state-owned company "Magazini za horata" EAD. According to him, the situation in the retail chain is starting to resemble a serious failure of social policy.

Empty shelves and "road" salaries

Minister of Agriculture Ivan Hristanov reported scandalous losses in the new chain. The main problems presented to the government include:

"This morning I want to say a few words about 'Magazins na choveka'. About whether there is a scheme for empty shelves and full pockets," stated Andrey Gyurov.

An experiment to drain the budget?

The Prime Minister expressed serious concerns that the structure could be a new case of a "state-funded experiment for draining," similar to the case with "Magnit". He emphasized that Bulgarian citizens do not pay taxes to maintain such inefficient structures.

Gyurov added that "Magazini za horata" in its current form is a "showcase for the failure of a model" that has already been rejected by citizens through protests. He demanded immediate specific proposals and solutions from the Minister of Agriculture to deal with the crisis.

Context of creation

It is recalled that "Magazin za horata" EAD was created in August 2025 with a capital of 10 million BGN. The goal of the company was to provide essential food products with a limited retail markup of up to 10%. Recently, however, the company's board of directors submitted resignation letters, which further intensifies the uncertainty surrounding the future of the project.