Prague is fighting tourist prices with grocery discounts for locals

Residents of Prague 1 can now benefit from a 15 percent discount on almost all food and drinks products at select Žabka convenience stores in the district, an initiative aimed at alleviating high food costs in the city center. The discount is part of an agreement between Prague 1 Councilor Karel Grabein Procházka and Žabka's general manager Radim Lunda.

The idea comes in response to concerns over the pricing of small, tourist-oriented convenience stores in the district, where markups can be significantly higher than in other parts of the city. Many residents often choose to shop outside Prague 1 to avoid excessive costs.

"Supporting our residents is a priority. I am glad that we were able to negotiate a discount that will make their daily shopping at least a little easier," said Procházka in a press release.

“The goal is to support residents living or regularly moving around Prague 1 and to strengthen the availability of basic foodstuffs in their place of residence or workplace,” said Prague 1 spokeswoman Karolína Šnejdarová in a statement to local news outlet PrahaIN.cz.

To access the discount, residents must use the Moje Žabka mobile application, where they must register—with their ID, to confirm their residence—before making purchases. They then present the application upon paying for their items.

The discount is available at eight Žabka locations: on Maiselova, Kaprova, U Obecního dvora, Jindřišská, Karlovo náměstí, Nerudova, Pohořelec, and Pštrossova streets. 

City officials expect the initiative to gain traction as awareness grows. “A 15 percent discount represents a significant saving that could be attractive to local residents. At the same time, we expect an increase in interest once the information campaign is launched,” Šnejdarová added.

While the discount has been welcomed as a step toward making food shopping more affordable, some local representatives believe more needs to be done. Martin Motl, chairman of the Trade and Services Committee of the Prague 1 City Council, noted that many residents view Žabka as an overpriced chain with a limited selection of essential goods.

“The Žabka retail chain is often perceived negatively by our residents—as a touristy store that does not sufficiently meet civic amenities in our district. We hope that this discount will somewhat ease the burden of high prices for quick purchases,” Motl told PrahaIN.cz.

Motl has also suggested that Prague 1 should consider launching a competitive tender for a new grocery operator to ensure a wider selection of affordable goods for residents.