Consumer Affairs Division: Beware and shop wisely

The Consumer Affairs Division (CAD) is urging consumers to be vigilant and shop wisely during the Christmas period. In an attempt to keep consumers informed, the Division’s staff monitors the prices of items at supermarkets and publishes the data quarterly in print and electronic media. This Basket of Goods includes the basic necessities which an average household consumes on a monthly basis. The selected products contained in the basket, which impact consumers across all income groups, were derived from a Basket of Goods Survey conducted by the Consumer Affairs Division of the Ministry of Trade and Industry in 2014.

The Basket of Goods, comprising one hundred and eighteen (118) selected food items is applied to thirty - nine (39) supermarkets in twenty (20) geographic locations in Trinidad and Tobago. A similar exercise is conducted by the Consumer Affairs Unit, (CAU) of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) at eight supermarkets.

The Division has noted an optic in prices at supermarkets in first three quarters of 2017 as it relates to the basic Basket of Goods. In Quarter one, the sample basket of goods averaged $1,580.79, which is slightly lower than Quarter two prices of $1,597.01, representing an increase of $16.22.

In Quarter three, the cost of the overall basket was $1,621.34, a further increase of $8.11. This reflects a total increase of $24.33 from January- September.

For this month, the Consumer Affairs Division will publish prices of basic food items along with the prices of items that are frequently purchased during this time of the year. In addition to the supermarket prices, poultry prices collected at depots throughout Trinidad will be published on the Consumer Affairs Division’s Facebook page.

The Consumer Affairs Division, in a press release, reminded the public that in addition to price monitoring, the division continues its educational drive with the intent of empowering consumers through knowledge, information sharing and sensitization on consumers’ rights and responsibilities. Consumers have the right to determine whether to purchase an item and from whom to purchase.

In the current environment, the Division is reminding consumers to be vigilant, make informed and wise decisions as well as exercise caution while making purchases.

Officers of the Consumer Affairs Division are available to answer any questions members of the public may have and also to deliver lectures and facilitate sessions on consumerism. To learn more about the Division, the public can call 623-2931 extension 1902-1915, message the Division on Facebook @consumeraffairstt or send an email at consumeraffairs@gov.tt.