People call on FCCC and Consumer Council to act after excessive markup on non price control items

Concerns have been raised about retailers placing high mark ups on non-price control items in supermarkets.

People say it is clear that retailers are increasing prices on non price control items because they just know that people would have to buy the items despite the continuous increased mark ups.

Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission CEO Joel Abraham says that they are aware that prices of items that are in demand during the festive season are bumped up and they have their team conducting their surveys.

Abraham says that these items that are in demand at this time of the year are under no price regulation and the idea is that free market must be able to give very competitive solutions to the market.

He adds that unfortunately if this is not happening the commission may have to put regulations on the prices of festive season demanded products.

Abraham has also reiterated the importance of consumers coming forward if they notice prices on festive season products are being increased unreasonably adding that this will help  commission track the various traders that engage in this and take them to task.

Meanwhile Consumer Council of Fiji Acting CEO Seymour Singh says the Council also noticed this happen previously as people were preparing for Diwali.

He says that traders should not be placing exorbitant prices on non-price control items adding that before Diwali one could purchase a can of condensed milk for $5 and closer to Diwali traders increased the price to $7.99 and others have found to raise it to $8.99.

Singh has urged consumers who notice such practices to inform the Consumer Council so this can also be addressed with the rightful authorities and these traders can be taken to task.

Singh also highlighted that soon after the festive season, they also notice a sudden hike in the prices of school items.

Singh has urged people who find a sudden unreasonable increase in prices of non-price controlled items to contact the Consumer Council of Fiji on their toll free number 155.