Barbadian consumers weighed in Monday on the government’s new web-based app, PriceCheck, which allows users to compare product prices at several supermarkets.
Launched last Friday by the Ministry of Energy and Business Development, the free app of the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs aims to offer up-to-date information on essential goods.
Shanice, a shopper in the City, said she believes the app will benefit the public. “I think it’s a good idea,” she said.
School vendor Petronella Medford also sees the app as convenient for consumers: “You know when you leave home wondering how much a pound of flour costs, and when you get to the supermarket, it’s $2 more than you expected? With this app, you can check prices on your phone and see exactly where to go, instead of running all over the country.”
At the app’s launch, it was revealed that 12 retailers have already joined the platform to provide price information, with more expected to follow.
Sharon, a mother, believes the app could help ease the cost of living.
“I believe it will,” she said. “When people see the price differences, they’ll go where it’s cheaper.”
But one shopper, Kayron, expressed scepticism, suggesting that supermarkets may collaborate to keep prices high.
“The people who run supermarkets might use this to set fixed prices across the board. They’re not really going to lower anything; they’ll just get smarter about it. I don’t think this will really help people,” she said.
She also raised concerns about the frequent price increases. “Things aren’t just going up by 50 cents; they’re going up by $5, $7, and more.” She cited examples of items at a particular supermarket where prices had increased three times in three months, which she confronted them about.
Elijah Tafarie, owner of Rube’s Extraordinary Fish Cakes, was critical of the app’s ability to address rising costs: “Unless there’s price regulation in Barbados, an app won’t help consumers get relief. If you just want to know the price of something, fine. But if you’re looking for fairness, you won’t find it here, because Barbados lacks price regulations.”
Adding that there is no system in place to control prices, he added: “I can buy something for 50 cents and sell it for $5. If the government implements regulations to control prices, then I can see the app being useful.”
A city vendor also expressed doubts about the app’s accessibility, noting that many people are not tech-savvy.
Referring to the price comparisons previously published in newspapers, she said: “How many people were reading the paper? It’s not like people don’t know which supermarkets have cheaper products. This app may cater to a certain segment of society, but most people already know where to shop for cheaper items.”
(LG)
