CHRISTIANSTED — Commissioner Richard Evangelista revealed the findings of the latest territory-wide market basket survey.
The market basket survey, completed on February 14, is designed to inform consumers of which stores have the best prices no matter the brand on staple grocery items.
The number of items compared on each island varies as a result of comparison guidelines that require items are identical in order to produce a valid survey.
Market basket surveys are included for comparative viewing. DLCA said it “apologizes to the retailers and the consumers for the incorrect results that we released in the market basket survey published on February 18.” DLCA’s market basket survey consists of a set number of items.
When a product is unavailable in every store, that product is not included in the survey. Unfortunately, DLCA mistakenly totaled the products for each store as if every store had all the items included in the market basket survey and added the total cost of each store’s basket creating inaccurate results.
On St. Croix, five stores were surveyed: Pueblo Golden Rock, Pueblo La Reine, Plaza Extra East, Plaza Extra West, and Stop and Shop Supermarket.
A total of 22 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket for February was $7.00. The lowest-priced family market basket was found at Plaza Extra West in Estate Plessen at $56.28.
Plaza Extra East came in second with a market basket cost of $57.35; $1.07 cents more than Plaza Extra West. Stop and Shop Supermarket came in third with a basket cost of $59.48. Pueblo La Reine came in fourth with $62.57. Pueblo Golden Rock was fifth with a market basket of $63.28.
On St. Thomas, four stores were surveyed: Plaza Extra, Food Center, and Pueblo Long Bay and Pueblo Sub Base. A total of 30 of the same items were compared at each location.
The difference between the highest and lowest-priced basket was $25.42. The lowest priced family market basket was found at Pueblo Sub Base with a cost of $76.82. Pueblo Long Bay came in second with a market basket cost of $77.41. Plaza Extra came in third with a basket cost of $78.42. Food Center came in fourth with a cost of $102.24.
On St. John four stores were surveyed: Dolphin Market Cruz Bay, Dolphin Market Coral Bay, Dolphin Market Chocolate Hole and Starfish Market. A total of 30 of the same items were compared at each location. The difference between the highest and lowest priced market basket was $11.21.
The lowest priced family market basket was found at Dolphin Market Chocolate Hole with a cost of $115.49. Dolphin Market Cruz Bay came in second with a market basket cost of $118.75. Dolphin Market Coral Bay came in third with a basket cost of $118.84. Starfish Market came in fourth with a cost of $126.70.
Consumers are reminded to shop wisely and compare food prices to make the best economic choices. Consumers or Merchants with questions may contact Consumer Affairs Division on St. Croix at (340) 713-3522, St. Thomas at (340) 714- 3522, or on St. John at (340) 693-8036.
For consumer related issues you can contact DLCA at [email protected] or follow them on Facebook.