Carlton Allen, an employee at Duhaney Park Shoppers Fair, stocks one of the shelves at the store yesterday afternoon. A grocery survey compiled by the Consumer Affairs Commission identified the prices of 10 basic food items in the Corporate Area and Manchester, and revealed that the store, located in St Andrew, had the most competitive food prices. - Norman Grindley/acting photography editor

Competitive prices and promotions at Shoppers Fair, in Duhaney Park, St Andrew, keep customers coming, according to Assistant Store Manager Keisha Miller.

Miller noted that she had seen an increase in shoppers following the publication of the monthly survey of grocery items compiled by the Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC) in The Gleaner yesterday.

Peak hours of operation are usually in the evenings after 5 p.m. and Saturdays.

However, yesterday Miller said: "This morning was particularly busy, considering Thursday is not a typical shopping day."

Value for money

The CAC survey was conducted between January 8 and 9 and identified a number of supermarkets in the Corporate Area and Manchester. Following talks between the Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce, and the CAC, the survey revealed which supermarkets gave customers value for their money on the 10 basic food items mostly used by Jamaicans.

The Gleaner team spoke to several persons who agreed that they shopped at the supermarket because of the proximity to their homes and that price was an afterthought.

"I live near to this supermarket and so shop for my necessary items," shopper Sabrina Bridgemohan told The Gleaner.

"I'm sure if another supermarket has cheaper prices, people would probably go there, but this one is closer to me."

Patricia Johnson, who on average spends $2,000 a week on groceries, said she has begun to prioritise her spending and welcomed the survey. She, however, stressed that she would only shop elsewhere if the saving was significant.

Miller explained that the store, which boasted prices for items such as $110 for a brand of canned corned beef, was not doing anything adverse.

"We receive the prices for the goods from the supplier and pass this cost, if it increases, on to the consumers, but we have fresh produce which we order every week."

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com