Retail Banditry, major problem in Antigua and Barbuda: PM Gaston Browne

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne expressed concern on the price gouging and called “Retail banditry”, a major problem rising in the island nation.

PM Gaston Browne shared the post of one of the netizens who raised an alarm over the increase in the price of the goods. She highlighted an issue about the sudden rise in the price of the disinfectant cleaner from $5 to almost $10.

While sharing the picture, she urged the Prime Minister to take stringent action against such grave issue and asked him to find out the cartel bandit responsible for it.

PM Browne stated though inflation has fallen below three percent in the US, where they import most of their products, the retailers are still continuing to price gouge their customers. He noted that such practices are resulting in creating unintended consequences which are affecting not only the consumers but also the overall development of the nation.

Therefore, the Prime Minister warned all those retailers that if this opportunistic pricing and exploitation of consumers continue, then the government may be forced to establish branches of CMC island wide, to drive down costs.

“A word to the wise is sufficient,” noted Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

PM Browne added that his administration is adamant to protect their citizens and all the consumers from any kind of unfair or deceptive trade practices. And, for the same, his government will make every possible effort in order to act as a shield for the consumers against price gouging.

Moreover, the same netizen compared the prices of the regular cornflakes with those available on Amazon or in bulk. She stated that it is just costing $7 or even less than $10 for 2 bags in such sites.

Meanwhile, in Antigua and Barbuda, the price has risen to $30 and $40 dollars for the family sized boxes. She referred this situation a “cereal cartel” and raised question that why the customers in the island nation are facing continuous price hikes instead of fluctuation.

She therefore, stressed on the need to keep a constant and close look at the prices and urged the Prime Minister to oversee this disturbing situation. She also asked the administration to take prompt action so they do not have to compromise with their healthy eating habits.

“Most of our children eat cornflakes and the cheaper brands are now going above the $20 something dollars mark. Soon from now a lot of us won’t be able to afford to even eat healthy because of the sky rocketing of food prices,” noted the netizen.

PM Gaston Browne has reacted to this situation and ensured all the countrymen that his administration will make every effort to bring the prices back to normal and safeguard the citizens from any unfair practices.