The Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs is notifying the public of the findings of its latest territory-wide food basket survey. The survey was completed during the last week of July. The food basket survey is designed to inform consumers of which stores have the best prices on staple grocery items. The number of items compared on each island varies as a result of comparison guidelines which require that the same items be compared among the stores in order to produce a valid survey.
St. Croix
On St. Croix four stores were surveyed: Pueblo Golden Rock and La Reine, and Plaza Extra stores in Christiansted and Frederiksted. A total of 32 of the same items were compared at each location. July’s food basket totals for the four stores were not as close as they were in the June survey. Survey findings for June indicated a difference of only 97 cents. The difference between the highest and lowest priced basket for July was $5.81.
The lowest-priced family food basket for July was found at Plaza Extra’s Christiansted location at $91.07. The second and third place food baskets had a difference of just 8 cents between them. Pueblo’s La Reine location came in second with a food basket cost of $94.65 while Plaza Extra’s Frederiksted location came in third with a food basket cost of $94.73. Coming in fourth was Pueblo’s Golden Rock location with a food basket cost of $96.88.
Survey findings also indicate an increase in the number of items with similar prices offered by the same chain store- uniform pricing. July’s survey findings indicate that Pueblo was leading the way in uniform pricing. Of the 32 items surveyed 24 had the same price offered at both locations. Plaza Extra stores had a total of 17 items with the same price offered.
St. Thomas
On St. Thomas four stores were surveyed: Pueblo in Long Bay and Sub Base, Plaza Extra, and Food Center. A total of 35 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest priced basket for July was $13.65. The ranking order for the lowest to highest priced food basket remained the same following the June survey.
Plaza Extra offered the lowest priced family food basket with a cost of $96.80. Pueblo’s Sub base store came in second with a food basket cost of $101.46, while Pueblo Long Bay came in third with a food basket cost of $104.08. Food Center came in fourth with a food basket cost of $110.45.
St. John
On St. John three stores were surveyed; Dolphin Market, Starfish Market, and Pine Peace Mini Mart. A total of 28 of the same items were compared at each location. The lowest priced food basket was found at Dolphin Market at a cost of $67.98. Pine Peace Mini Mart came in second with a food basket priced at $75.58. Starfish Market came in third place with a food basket cost of $83.40.
Consumers are reminded to shop wisely and compare food prices to make the best economic choices. In an effort to carry out its mission of “Assisting, Educating and Protecting Consumers,” specifically as it pertains to grocery shopping; DLCA has released a series of consumer tips that should be taken into consideration when purchasing groceries. Continue to listen for additional consumer tips that can assist you in getting the most for your money.
