The consumer protection commission (KZP) has referred a large retail chain to the competition regulator KZK, saying it applies different markups to foods in the same category. The gap is above the 10% the law allows, KZP's press office said.

KZP did not name the chain. It is the latest such referral to KZK about big chains.

In its check, KZP went through the retailer's records of purchase and sale prices for food. Similar products from different producers had markups that differed widely. A markup is the amount a shop adds to the price it paid for goods.

The Law on Protection of Competition does not allow markups on comparable farm and food products in one category to differ by more than 10%, KZP said. It says this is an unfair practice and discriminates between trading partners. Some suppliers could end up worse off than others, and fair competition could be distorted.

A week ago, KZP decided at a regular meeting to fine two large chains for unfair trading practices. The breaches took place in three outlets of the two chains. The fines total €75,000, and each is the maximum the law allows.

KZP is passing its evidence and analysis to KZK, which will assess the complaint and decide whether to act. KZP is still checking purchase and sale prices of basic foods. It is looking for unjustified price rises and for practices that hurt consumers and put producers and suppliers at an unfair disadvantage.

If a breach is proven, the penalty can be up to 10% of the company's turnover.