New pricing rules should make comparison easier for customers, but tradespeople warn of extra work and costs.

From November 17, traders and tradespeople will have to show, for a wider range of products and services, how much they cost now and how much they cost on September 10, 2026. This will make it easier for customers to see price changes, while traders must prepare new labels and price lists. As reported by net.hr in a report by journalist Kristina Čirjak, one craft business has already shut down its online store because of the obligation to update prices.

What does the base price tell the customer?

The base or anchor price shows how much a product or service cost on a specific date, so that the customer can compare that amount with today's price. According to the Ministry of Economy, the expanded obligation begins to apply on November 17, 2026, and prices will be compared with those from September 10, 2026. For food, drinks, hygiene supplies, and household products, that rule already applies, so alongside the current price, the price from May 2, 2025 must still also be shown.

'We don't have time to update prices'

Cerovečki explains that she and her husband are the only employees and that, alongside production, sales, and orders, they also have to change price labels and update online price lists. 'We have already shut down the web shop because we do not have time to update prices by eight in the morning,' she said.

Details are still being worked out

The Government highlights better customer information as the goal, while tradespeople are asking for simpler implementation. Publishing earlier prices should show how they have changed, but by itself it does not guarantee a lower bill at the checkout.