https://journals.tultech.eu/index.php/ijitis <p>The <strong>International Journal of Innovative Technology and Interdisciplinary Sciences (IJITIS) (ISSN 2613-7305)</strong> is a reputable open-access, quarterly multidisciplinary journal that serves as a platform for the publication of reviews, regular research papers, short communications, and special issues on specific subjects, all presented in the English language. With a focus on fostering academic exchange and disseminating original research, IJITIS showcases the latest advancements and achievements in scientific research from Estonia and beyond to a global audience. Our journal welcomes original and innovative contributions across various fields of technology, innovation in the sciences, and interdisciplinary studies. We encourage submissions that provide valuable insights through analytical, computational modeling, and experimental research results. IJITIS is guided by an esteemed international board of editors comprised of distinguished local and foreign scientists and researchers. Notably, we actively seek manuscripts that introduce new research proposals and ideas, and we offer the option for authors to submit supplementary material such as electronic files or software to enhance the transparency and reproducibility of their work.</p> TULTECH en-US International Journal of Innovative Technology and Interdisciplinary Sciences 2613-7305 https://journals.tultech.eu/index.php/ijitis/article/view/297 <p style="font-weight: 400;">This paper provides a data-driven evaluation of market competition across the six Western Balkan countries by comparing retail prices for identical consumer products sold by the same European operator in its European Union (EU) home market and the local markets in the region. After normalizing for Value Added Tax (VAT) differences, a Market Competition Index (MCI) is constructed to capture the average relative price deviation from EU benchmarks in Albania, Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as a reflection of the degree of market competition in the consumer goods retailing sector of these countries. The 2025 results reveal pronounced variations in competitive intensity across the Western Balkans: Albania tops the ranking with the largest average price deviation from EU benchmark (89 points), followed by Montenegro (60 points) and North Macedonia (46 points); Kosovo occupies a middle position (37 points), while Bosnia and Herzegovina (25 points) and Serbia (23 points) record the smallest deviations, indicating the strongest alignment with EU pricing and, by extension, the most competitive local markets. A complementary Burden Index, which adjusts each country’s Market Competition Index by its Purchasing Power Index (PPI) using 2023 Eurostat data, confirms that low-income markets face the greatest consumer strain. This dual-metric framework offers a precise monitoring tool for policymakers. As the Western Balkans progress toward EU accession, the MCI provides a clear benchmark for measuring reform progress, safeguarding consumer welfare, and supporting interventions to enhance market competition.</p> Ilir Ciko Copyright (c) 2025 Ilir Ciko https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 2025-11-02 2025-11-02 8 4 842 865