We note with interest the Consumer Affairs Commission's (CAC) stated intention to publish a weekly survey of basic grocery items amid recent complaints about continued high food prices despite a general lowering on the world markets.

As was reported in yesterday's Gleaner, the three-month project will begin in the Corporate Area and St Catherine and should be done in all parishes. The data will include product, price and location.

Earlier this month, Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce Karl Samuda reported that an expected reduction in prices, which he had earlier announced, would not materialise, as currency devaluation was offsetting any gains from the worldwide food price reductions. That, of course, does not provide adequate explanation for the glaring disparities of the sometimes over 20 per cent on the same item by different retailers.

Such huge price differences on identical items smack of price gouging, hitting the consumer where it hurts most - right in the stomach. And this survey is a counterpunch through that great equaliser, knowledge. Angella Smith, an economist/analyst with the CAC, foresees, as she told The Gleaner, that the survey "will impact negatively" on the businesses which do not roll back their prices.

Lower gas prices

Consumers may take comfort in the fact that the public display of prices at gas stations has made a tremendous difference in the fuel retail trade. There are gas stations which have literal traffic jams, as motorists queue up to access the lower prices. And those stations which have significantly higher prices, or at which none is displayed, tend to be in areas where it is likely that their customers are not overly concerned about such matters.

There is, however, the matter of the public utilising the knowledge it will be provided with or even being able to utilise it in the first place. For making the disparity between two outlets (even within the same chain) on the same item is one thing. The potential customer's ability to access the lower prices is another, as it may involve added transportation costs.

And while the prices will be published, it may be difficult for some persons to work out which outlet offers a more economical basket of goods.

So, we suggest (and it may have already planned to do so) that the CAC presents the best prices and outlets for a basket of goods required by a particular family size in its weekly report, as we believe that this would go a far way in getting consumers not only to assess the impact of the prices on their budget, but also prod them into taking action.

And it is this action that will defeat price gouging in the short to long term.

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