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‘Ridiculous!’

by Emmanuel Joseph
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The business community has challenged the recently-established Barbados Consumer Empowerment Network (BCEN) to bring proof that prices in supermarkets across the island have risen astronomically.   

President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Anthony Branker was on Friday defending the food retail sector against the charge coming from the consumer body which also urged Barbadians to boycott those supermarkets which are engaged in “unscrupulous” pricing practices.

“Consumers must have the confidence to exercise their rights and take action against unscrupulous pricing practices and the ongoing rise in the cost of living,” the BCEN said in a release issued on Thursday.

But Branker described the call as ridiculous.

“That is a ridiculous call because if you just listen to regional news and you listen to international news, it is not a situation in which Barbados is isolated in terms of the rising cost of everything. But if the consumer body thinks that is the answer to it, by all means,” the chamber leader contended.

However, Branker has told the consumer group to show evidence of a substantial hike in supermarket prices.

“From the very beginning, the Chamber of Commerce had indicated, from the time we signed the [prices] compact, that the market was still volatile. We insisted that the agreement was to a fixed mark-up. However, I would want to see the proof of the severe increases because the Ministry of Commerce has the responsibility for monitoring pricing, and therefore I think they are the ones who should come out and either align with what the consumer group is saying or suggest otherwise, and let the Barbadian public know what the facts are. But I do not believe the message from the consumer body is sending the real facts of what is happening on the shelves,” the BCCI president stressed.

The BCEN is asking Barbadians to submit their receipts along with their names and contact information to the organisation because they intend to launch a petition to protest the rising food prices in Barbados.

Consumers are urged to drop off their receipts for October and November at Eastmond and Company, Dayrells Road, St Michael or email them to Bcen246@gmail.com.

“The situation is untenable especially at this time of year…given all that we have undergone since the COVID crisis,” the release stated.

BCEN said that there is a situation in Barbados right now where consumers such as retirees, workers, business owners, students, wives, mothers, fathers and children are feeling the brunt of an exponential rise in the cost of living.

“The price of goods and services has increased while a few large players remain in control of the market. As you are aware, some businesses and industries in Barbados have consolidated and competition has weakened, and it is having a negative impact on many households,” the consumer group stated.

“Up to this point, Barbadians are not feeling any relief and we have had conflicting announcements from certain segments of the business community. We have also heard from the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and industry about rising costs in Barbados. BCEN is calling on Barbadians to complain and speak out against the astronomical rise in food prices in supermarkets across Barbados,” the consumer representatives pronounced.

emmanueljoseph@barbadostoday.bb

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