Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce Dwight Sutherland and members of his team toured supermarkets today.
This forms part of Government’s response to concerns from consumers about price increases during this period of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Sutherland said while the team was moving around the country to ensure there was fair commerce, he recognised the contribution made by minimarts in mitigating the spread of the virus. He said these businesses were critical at this time and allowed consumers to shop closer to home.
The minister and his team visited The Bridge Supermarket, Charles Rowe Bridge, St George and Massy Supermarket in Warrens, St Michael.
“We recognised way back in March when the pandemic struck us here . . . that we had a duty to the consumers in this country. Those are the persons who buy goods and services and also to ensure that commerce is conducted in a fair and orderly manner,” he said.
Sutherland said his team at Commerce and Consumer affairs had identified a “COVID basket” of 48 items that the average householder consumes on a daily basis.
Sutherland also thanked the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Barbados Private Sector Association and retailers for agreeing to keep prices at what they were pre-COVID-19 for the 48 items.
He said there had been an issue at The Bridge Supermarket concerning eggs that when investigated it was realised that the price was not outside of the pre-COVID prices. (CA)
The team also visited Massy Stores to find out what challenges they faced.
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Minister of Small Business, Entrepreneurship and Commerce Dwight Sutherland (right) and trading standard inspector 1 with the department of commerce and consumer affairs Chrispin Walkes (right) in discussion with Managing Director of Massy Stores, Randall Banfield.
