EU Court Strikes Down Hungary’s Mandatory Discount Scheme for Supermarkets

The Court of Justice of the European Union has ruled that Hungary’s system obliging large food retailers to apply mandatory discounts and stock requirements violated EU law, setting a clear legal limit on how far member states can go in intervening directly in retail pricing during inflationary periods. The judgment, delivered on 18 June in Case C-658/24 (Penny Market), concerns legislation introduced by Hungary in 2023 in response to surging food inflation across Europe. The rules required major retailers to sell selected food products at reduced prices while also ensuring continuous availability of those goods on shelves. ...