Prime Minister Gaston Browne has urged supermarkets in Antigua and Barbuda to immediately stop what he described as price gouging, warning that the government could take action if the practice continues.
Speaking on the Browne and Browne Show, Mr Browne cited an example of a small pack of grapes being sold for about EC$27, calling the price “totally inappropriate”. He said the Ministry of Trade and Price Control had been asked to investigate.
The prime minister said he was particularly concerned that prices had increased despite government measures aimed at reducing the cost of importing fruits and vegetables.
He appealed to supermarkets, especially larger retailers, to review their pricing and cooperate with government policy, stressing that legal or punitive action was not the preferred option.
Mr Browne said the government wanted compliance with the law to ensure fair prices for consumers, rather than resorting to the courts.
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Well, I agree with that one! A little pack of cherries in a local well visited supermarket was $20+. It was the cheapest on the shelf! Even CMC who is supposed to be easing the poor man’s squeeze are also selling the fruits at exorbitant prices! The poor man cries or dies!
Wait! Don’t we have a price control division? Is the PM saying these people not doing their jobs?. Lord have mercy !
Mr. Prime Minister, you only now realize? I often wrote about price gouging and it was said that no price gouging was going on. It is strange with election not far off all of a sudden price gouging is taking place. Business people must get back their election contributions so price gouging will never be eliminated with ABLP in charge. You people are nothing but vampires