The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs has released the results of a territory-wide food basket survey it conducted during the last week of May. The food basket survey is designed to inform consumers of which stores have the best prices on staple grocery items, DLCA said. The number of items compared on each island varies as a result of comparison guidelines that require items to be identical in order to produce a valid survey. Food basket surveys are included for comparative viewing.
On St. Croix, five stores were surveyed: Pueblo Golden Rock, Pueblo La Reine, Plaza Extra East, Plaza Extra West, and Stop and Shop Supermarket. A total of 13 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket for May was $1.51. The lowest- priced family food basket was found at Plaza Extra West location at $35.12. Plaza Extra East came in second with a food basket cost of $35.46; $.35 cents more than Plaza Extra West. Pueblo Golden Rock came in third with a basket cost of $39.54. Pueblo La Reine came in fourth with $38.66. Closing out the survey was Stop and Shop Supermarket at a cost of $36.63, according to D.L.C.A.
On St. Thomas, four stores were surveyed: Plaza Extra, Food Center, and Pueblo Long Bay and Pueblo Sub Base. A total of 30 of the same items were compared at each location.The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket was $22.48. The lowest priced family food basket was found at Plaza Extra with a cost of $130.68. Pueblo’s Subbase and Long Bay locations came in second and third respectively with a difference of $.45 cents between them. Pueblo Sub Base had a food basket cost of $147.12, while Pueblo’s Long Bay location had a food basket cost of $147.50. Food Center came in fourth with a food basket cost of $153.16, D.L.C.A. said.
On St. John, three stores were surveyed: Dolphin Market, Starfish Market, and Pine Peace Mini Mart. A total of 11 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest priced food basket was $.10 cents. The lowest priced food basket was found at Pine Pence at a cost of $56.25. Dolphin Market came in second with a food basket cost of $56.35. Coming in third was Star Fish Market with a food basket cost of $64.85. Consumers are reminded to shop wisely and compare food prices to make the best economic choices, according to the release.
Consumers or Merchants with questions may contact Consumer Affairs Division on St. Croix at 713- 3522, St. Thomas at 714-3522, or on St. John at 693-8036.
D L.C.A. reminded businesses to submit their hurricane pricelist by June 1st at any DLCA location or via email at [email protected].
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