Russian retail chains can raise prices on goods group of non-social significance, are not subject to the decision of retailers on freezing rate. This opinion in an interview with Business FM was expressed by Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich.

"Maybe they just raised prices on goods not belonging to the category of socially significant and, thus, partially compensate for the fall in profit for this group of products", - he said.

This position is at odds with previously made by the Deputy head of FAS Andrey Kashevarov. He hoped that the retailers in terms of price-fixing on actuary will not be increasing the prices on other products to compensate for their costs.

The fixing of retail prices for social products

Previously, the Association of retail companies (HSE), which unites the largest trade network of Russia, sent to the FAS project agreement fixing of retail prices for social products. Currently adhered to the agreement of 12 retailers Magnit, X5 Retail Group ("Pyaterochka", "Perekrestok", "Karusel"), "Auchan", "Dixie", Metro Cash&Carry, "Tape", "Okay", Globus, "bill", "SELGROS", "Vester" and the Internet Mall "Platypus".

Prices shall be fixed for a period of two months to a basket consisting of not less than 20 items. The list of goods for which a fixed price, each retailer sets its own.

While sellers formulate the final lists. Socially important are two dozen products: beef, pork, lamb, chickens, intact frozen fish, milk and some dairy products, sugar and salt, sunflower oil, some cereals, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, apples, etc.

If the provider will reduce the purchase price for goods from the list, these products will become cheaper and in retail, assured in HSE. The initiative networks supported the FAS and the Ministry of industry and trade of Russia. While competition authority found no evidence of collusion in this decision.

Vice Prime Minister also believes that the step of retailers "well thought out" and "will not cause problems in networks". "I think they made a wise, balanced decision, and we welcome it," Dvorkovich said, adding that past growth of prices for food "quite serious".

For the year (January 2015 to January 2014) food inflation, according to Rosstat, closer to 21%. Its growth has affected both devaluation and price spikes in autumn 2014 for individual food groups after the introduction of an embargo on the import of certain foodstuffs from countries sanctioners, including the EU and the US.