While consumers grapple with the cost of living, the National Consumer Association implores them to undergo a period of introspection. The NCA is asking citizens to make the age-old decision - buy what you need. In a conversation with SNO, NCA President, Dr. Thecla Lewis made the appeal to all consumers.
“We encourage consumers to buy what they need. Most times, consumers buy what they want, or what they would like to have and not necessarily what they need,” Dr. Lewis said. This, she says, is the way to endure the current tough economic situation the world currently faces. She adds that the NCA will advocate for a decrease in prices for goods that are price-controlled.
“When it comes to prices at the supermarket, there are prices that are controlled. You have goods that are controlled by a government mechanism. There are those with no control whatsoever,” she explained. She continues, “If consumers purchase the goods at the supermarket and they have a price outside of what is stipulated, we step in. This is our job. But it’s ultimately the consumer’s choice.”
Dr. Lewis also notes that its citizens decision which supermarket or grocery store they will patronize. “I wouldn’t say that one particular supermarket has a monopoly, if so there would only be one supermarket chain here. There are other supermarkets in Saint Lucia that consumers have the choice to purchase from.”
Just recently, Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre responded to the concerns of citizens as it relates to an apparent lack of competition in the supermarket business.
“The food business is a business of mass. And it’s very difficult to get some other competitor to open a supermarket in this country to be able to deal with the variety and price structure that currently exists. I understand there’s a new supermarket coming and I hope they can deal with this in a way that satisfies the public,” he said.
At present, the government has put mechanisms in place to tackle instances of price gouging in supermarkets. The Department of Consumer Affairs has made the contact numbers 758-468-4239, 758-468-4232, and 758-468-4224 available for price gouging complaints. However, consumers are advised by the department to adhere to consumer responsibilities.