Retailers Meet With Price Control Essential Goods Committee
~~Adz:Left~~ Basseterre, St. Kitts (November 15, 2007): Ambassador Plenipotentiary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Rosalyn Hazelle said a meeting of the essential goods committee assigned to determine items for price control met with representatives of the major supermarkets in St. Kitts yesterday.
Ambassador Hazelle stated that the highly successful discussions centred mainly around the issue of the pricing of goods based on the landed costs retailers are required to pay on imported items.
According to Ambassador Hazelle, the retailers laid their concerns on the table including a request that “brand” be considered in determining the essential goods list as compared to the present arrangement in which brand is not a factor.
Ambassador Hazelle explained that while the list may appear to have only 29 items, the number of items represented on the list actually exceeds 300. Some 388 items on grocery store shelves and freezers are covered under the 29 groupings.
In other words she said poultry would cover every type of bird or bird part and tuna would cover all brands and types of tuna including tuna in water, tuna in tomato sauce, and the like”.
The ambassador noted that government is considerate of the needs of businesses and will explore other avenues to assist retailers by reducing importation duties on goods.
Ms. Hazelle said the ministry is cognizant of the fact that the distribution of Sale of Goods Act was passed in 1968 and needs to be modernized and she revealed that plans to update and upgrade the legislation are being considered.
She said in seeking to conduct case studies within the OECS for possible redrafting of the Sale of goods Act, it was found that most were at the same place in terms of simply amending existing laws. She said her ministry would spearhead attempts to revamp the laws to make it more suitable to present circumstances.
The issue of penalties for non-compliance by retailers was also raised as well as the requirement that the price of all goods must be clearly visible to consumers as they go along supermarket aisles.
She stated that the frank discussions were very fruitful and refreshing, allowing the concerns of the retailers and consumers to be aired in the same forum in a cordial manner. Ambassador Hazelle said she hoped that the level of cordiality would extend to the officers within her Ministry as they inspect the stores to determine whether or not goods are being priced appropriately.
