DOHA: The weekly comparative price list issued by the Ministry of Economy and Commerce shows huge differences in the prices of commodities at different shopping outlets.
The Ministry has been issuing the price list, comparing the prices of different essential commodities at leading shopping outlets to promote competition and help the consumers identify the lowest prices.
The move aims at providing prices of products displayed at 17 major outlets across the country to consumers, especially low income families, for comparison.
The comparative price list named “Where To Shop” for this week (from 23 to 29 October) has shown a difference of QR94 in the prices of a bag of rice of a popular brand from one outlet to other.
The price list includes 132 food items, 42 non-food items and 38 products for children and could be accessed via the website of the Ministry at http://market.mec.gov.qa/index.aspx. The major outlets are Carrefour, Al Meera, Giant Stores, Lulu, Daheel, Safari, Family Food Centre, Al Safeer, Mega Mart, Food Palace, Food World, Saudia, Al Rawabi, Quality, Grand, Masskar and Grand Mart.
According to the price list, a 40kg bag of Punjab Garden Basmati Rice is available at QR200 (the minimum price in an outlet) and at QR294.5, the maximum price in another shopping center.
The price of a 5kg bag of Sun White Rice ranges between QR30 and QR38.50 in various outlets. Sadia Frozen Chicken for 1kg and 1.2kg are being sold with the differences in prices of up to QR3.75 (QR11-QR14.75) and QR4.75 (QR13.25-QR18) respectively.
Taybat Frozen Chicken of 1kg is available at QR14 (minimum) and QR17 (maximum). Prices of Sadia Beef Burger 24pc/1.34kg range between QR31.5 and QR38.25 from one outlet to other. The price of the chicken burger of the same brand of 672gm varies from QR16.50 to QR20. American Sweet Corn of 450gm pack is available between QR9.25 and QR11.
Prices of non-food items have a minor difference at QR1 and QR1.5 from one shop to the other. But children’s products witnessed differences in the prices of upto QR10. A packet of J& J baby powder of 500gm ranges between QR20 and QR30.25. Baby joy diaper medium No 3 of 34PCs ranges between QR27.25 and QR29. Nido milk powder 2.5kg is being sold at QR60.75 and QR71.75.
The price list has indicators to show that the prices of the products are higher or lower. Punjab Garden Basmati Rice and Sun White Rice are indicated in red for higher prices. However, Sadia Frozen Chicken and Sunbula French Fries are indicated in greed for lower prices.
The Ministry of Economy and Commerce has launched a service “Where to Shop?” as part of its efforts to control the prices of consumer goods, food and nonfood items. The move aims at bringing parity to prices to protect the rights of consumers, especially for low-income residents, reads a note on the website.
The service provides prices of some key items to customers so that they can compare the prices at various outlet s before going for shopping.
