Consumer product prices stable

Retail and whole sale prices of consumer goods continue to be stable for the eight consecutive month. Prices at retail and whole sale outlets in Muscat Governorate remained stable during this week, as revealed by a survey conducted by the Public Authority for Consumer Protection. The government has taken a number of measures to curb price rises that included subsidising prices of sugar, flour and other essentials. The public authority has also, on its part, enforced some measures to maintain the price levels. Outlets are required to obtain prior approval of the authority before raising prices. The survey covered retail and wholesale prices of many items of different brands including rice, sugar, tea, powdered milk, lentils, chicken, eggs, tomato paste and table salt. Some consumers, despite the efforts being made to maintain price stability, agree prices of some products need to be reconsidered and inspection tightened specially on small shops. Jameela al Jamlanya said prices, specially food prices, are OK but others like detergents are unreasonably high. She thinks prices of local products are cheaper. Salim al Sahib said prices are costly. However, while some prices are stable, he said sudden increase in prices of other products surprises him especially the hefty increase in prices of luxury goods. He also observed that prices in small shops are different from those offered for the same products in supermarkets. He demanded tighter inspection not only of prices but also the expiry dates.