A basic basket of groceries can show a gap in prices, depending on where they are bought. - PHOTO BY KEISHA SHAKESPEARE-BLACKMORE
ANOTHER DOWNTOWN grocery shopper is Dave Simpson.For the past few months of shopping downtown his grocery bill has been slashed by nearly half.
Mr. Simpson used to shop at supermarkets in the Cross Roads and Half-Way Tree areas and normally spent approximately $7,000 monthly. At wholesales surrounding Coronation Market he now spends about $4,500.
For him, shopping downtown is no hassle. He parks his car and shops at the wholesale then goes to the market. "People used to make it seem as if shopping downtown is a hassle but it is not. However, it is time-consuming because you have to go to different places in search of groceries," he said, noting that it is best to shop downtown at 8:00 a.m. on Saturdays before the rush begins.
Would he return to shopping uptown? He said, "Mi sorry, mi nah give it up."
Mr. Simpson now buys a case of 25 packs of laundry detergent for $500. It lasts for three months. This is against previously buying two packs of soap powder monthly for $200 each.
Downtown, he gets a gallon of fabric softener for $240. Uptown he paid $300 for one litre.
MR. SIMPSON'S BASIC GROCERY LIST:
Chicken, fish, rice, seasoning, corned beef, sausage, sweet corn, vegetables, fruits, toiletries (tissue, toothpaste, bath soap), washing products (soap powder, fabric softener).
