/ 27 April 2009

Food prices up from January, says Solidarity

Food prices at major supermarkets have increased an average of 5,5% since January, trade union Solidarity said on Sunday.

Food prices at major supermarkets have increased an average of 5,5% since January, trade union Solidarity said on Sunday.

”Pick n Pay’s prices in the basket rose by 8,1% during the past four months while Spar and Checkers’ food prices increased by 3,1% and 5,1%,” said Solidarity spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans in a statement.

The union had been comparing food prices at the country’s three largest supermarket groups each month since the start of the year.

The increases meant the prices of the items in Solidarity’s food basket at all three supermarkets were now on an ”almost on equal footing”.

”Pick n Pay’s financial results have meanwhile been released and indicate that this supermarket’s profit on continued activities has increased to almost 21% after tax,” said Kleynhans.

The union appealed to supermarkets to reduce their prices to help reduce the burden caused by the current economic downturn. — Sapa