The introduction of the euro should not, of itself, require any trader to increase prices. Of course, it is open to any business to increase their prices if they want to do so and changes in prices do occur for various reasons and at different times during the trading year. Successive Governments have recognised that the encouragement of a competitive environment and promotion of greater price awareness is a far better way of ensuring value for money for consumers than the imposition of price control legislation which would require that all price adjustments for all products be approved in advance. The introduction of the euro does not change this fact.
I believe that the vast majority of traders want to behave honourably and fairly during the changeover to the euro. Some unscrupulous traders may seek to use the introduction of the euro as an opportunity to introduce unwarranted price increases. However, the retail market, in particular, is highly competitive and at the end of the day I believe that the market will punish those who seek to take advantage of the changeover in this way. Consumers need to realise the power that they themselves have if they feel they are not being treated fairly, and that is simply to take their business elsewhere.