ZAGREB SHOPS LOWER PRICES OF PRODUCTS OTHER THAN FOOD

( Editorial: --> 3292 ) ZAGREB, Jan 9 (Hina) - After stock-taking in Zagreb's shops selling products other than food, prices have dropped 3.7 per cent, due to the decrease of the tax burden from 26.5 to 22 percent, which is the amount of value added tax. "Elektropromet", which sells electrical equipment, hopes to lower prices even more this month and in February, if negotiations with suppliers to lower the margin succeed. "Exportdrvo", which sells furniture, also hopes its suppliers will lower their prices, which should lower the price of furniture, presently 3.86 per cent cheaper, over the following months. According to the chief of retail at clothes-sellers "NIK", "Vesna" and "Goricanka", prices will stay the same and seasonal cuts up to 30 per cent are planned starting next week. Clothes-sellers "Standard Konfekcija" and "Tekstilpromet" were unable to give any information on lower or higher prices. They said stock-taking was still in course. The head of administration of the "Nama" stores chain said that 80,000 products have become cheaper. Everything but food, she said. (hina) ha mm 091426 MET jan 98