Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Pointe FM (screenshot)
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has issued a firm statement demanding an immediate end to price gouging by supermarkets in Antigua and Barbuda.
During his appearance on the Browne and Browne Show, the Prime Minister emphasized his concerns regarding this increasingly prevalent issue.
“I saw a situation in which a small pack of grapes in a particular supermarket – not gonna call the name – was listed at about EC$27,” said Prime Minister Browne. “We have asked the Ministry of Trade and Price Control to look into that issue.”
“I’m begging these supermarkets, especially the large ones; stop gouging your customers like that. That is just totally inappropriate.”
The Prime Minister expressed dismay at seeing an increase (in this specific case mentioned) instead of a reduction after his government took an initiative to make fruits and vegetables cheaper to import.
He encouraged supermarkets to re-evaluate their pricing strategies and align with the government’s initiatives to support the community before it becomes necessary to take legal action.
“We don’t want to have to take anybody to court or to take any punitive action against them,” expressed the PM. “We’re asking them to please cooperate with government’s policy, and instead of price gouging the people, just follow the law.
A whole bunch of them doing that even those that can afford and are thriving
A lot of these supermarkets get government concessions, yet the prices are still so high. The majority of the population earns less than $2,000 (between $460 and $500 per week). Because of the grace of God, we survive in this country.
He need fu check fu he supermarket dat he hab inna Ebenezer!
Hence their grapes will stay on their shelf and rotten
Pm I find you late
$27 for a small pack of grapes is robbery. Somebody finally saying it out loud
People can’t survive like this, food is not a luxury.
I understand costs are high, but that price feels like taking advantage of people who don’t have a choice. I appreciate that it’s the top government official that’s making this comment on his radio station
Since Government reduced duties, so someone needs to explain why prices are still rising.
Some of these supermarkets are wicked. Apart from the fact that cost of goods are so expensive they recieve exemptions and dont pass it on to consumers.
Well until you make an example of them they wont stupid…like P Diddy.