The president’s statements respond to an alleged planned boycott of a chain of supermarkets on-island on Thursday, November 2, 2023. Although unaware of the supposed boycott, Dr. Fitz-Lewis says aggrieved citizens possess the right to shop wherever they decide to.

“They are not doing anything unlawful,” Dr. Fitz-Lewis clarified. She, however, explained that there are many factors which determine the price of goods on-island. “We are challenged by a lot of logistical issues that affect the prices of goods and some services in Saint Lucia - and that’s the shipping costs that we have no control over,” she explained.

The President adds that the NCA has not taken a position on the proposed consumer boycott, though. “To speak for the association means we would have had to have a meeting to discuss where do we see ourselves in the process. In the absence of doing that, as President I cannot take an autonomous decision and say “We support it”, she informed.

In October 2023, sanitary products were placed under the price control regime after supermarkets reportedly increased prices by upwards of 90%. Consumers are on record as voicing dissatisfaction with the current prices at supermarkets.