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| Sunday, 19 December 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Christmas shopping blues by Hiran H.Senewiratne and Chanuka Mannapperuma Christmas is now almost here and people are busy making preparations for the festive season while shopping. Most people are shopping early to beat the rush. The leading supermarket chains 'Cargills, Millers' are now fully geared for Christmas. The prices of certain cake ingredients and other festive fare have increased compared to the previous year. When,the Sunday Observer did a survey on Christmas shopping, it was revealed that prices of certain imported ingredients have risen due to certain taxes.Among these ingredients are cherries, liquor, biscuits, chocolates and other needs. Egg prices have also shown a sharp increase apparently due to the high demand for eggs at this time. Current egg prices are around Rs.7.00. At Cargills supermarket, discounts and raffle draws are offered to customers while hampers are available at different prices. At Sathosa outlets prices of most items are lower than at other places. Sathosa is also offering price reductions for most of their items. According to Sathosa sources, prices of eggs, sugar and flour are comparatively lower than at other shopping centres as Sathosa purchase those products direct from farmers. In some boutiques the prices of such ingredients are standard, but prices of eggs show a difference compared to leading retail stores. In some boutiques, an egg costs Rs.8.00 !. Wholesale prices of eggs and other seasonal related items are quite reasonable at certain outlets. Shoppers however were very critical about price increases. One shopper said; "Christmas cake is necessary and we are compelled to buy essential ingredients at any price. The shop owners know this and they increase prices as they like. This is very unfair," she added. Another shopper said,that this is the festive season and the last month of the year. People get bonuses, incentives and festival advances. Shop owners know this and take advantage of the situation to cash in on their goods. Also prices are not permanent,but are quite haphazard. As a result, people are facing hardships. A young shopper said " when we go shopping we have to face a lot of difficulties. Quality of items are necessary. But at this festive season, they have mixed up quality items with low quality ones so that consumers are confused and uncertain," he said. |
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