Retail outlets selling items at govt-controlled prices Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=447289&version=1&template_id=36&parent_id=16 Government imposed prices on some 268 edible and non-edible items in view of the holy month of Ramadan came into force two days ago. The Consumer Protection Department at the Ministry of Business & Trade has issued a price list of items to be sold at the country’s retail outlets with effect from July 15 through the holy month and until the end of Eid celebrations. Visits to a number of popular retail outlets in Doha yesterday, notably LuLu Hypermarket and Family Food Centre, revealed that prices of most of the listed items have been adjusted accordingly. The government list of items and their corresponding prices was seen pasted to the main entrance of one of the stores visited yesterday. Some shoppers who spoke to the Gulf Times welcomed the government’s move describing it as “a welcome relief”. “We are always looking forward to this time each year as shopping spending tends to relax a bit, though I am yet to really feel the changes because most of the items have been so costly already. For instance, two litres of Al Marai milk, which used to be QR11 is just reduced to QR10,” said an Arab expatriate, who was shopping with his family at the LuLu Hypermarket. However, some shoppers didn’t seem to be aware of the government imposed prices. “I just finished shopping and didn’t know of any price reduction because I have spent almost same amount on similar items I usually purchase here,” said a Filipina. In both supermarkets, prices of all discounted items were displayed separately on boards, especially for flour and cooking oil. A five-kilo bag of QFM flour (No.1) and No.2 is now available for QR16.75 while No.3 is being retailed for QR 19.50 and all-purpose Kuwaiti flour’s 5kg bag is priced at QR19.50. The prices of different brands of sunflower oil are as follows: Noor and Olite brands (1.8 lt) QR16.50, Ola (2lt) QR14.25, Mazola (1.8lt) QR17, Afia (1.8lt) QR17 and corn oils like Karam (1.8lt) QR16, Ola pure corn (1.8lt) QR16.75, Afia corn (1.8lt) QR18, Mazola corn (1.8lt) QR18. Olive oil (QT olive oil extra 500ml) QR15.75. According to the ministry, all retailers, including those operating small groceries, are directed to sell the goods at the “fixed” prices.

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