Increase in Prices of Toiletries And Beverages

Residents in the New Juabeng municipality have expressed concern about the recent increase in the prices of some products of LEVER Brothers and NESTLE Ghana Ltd.

A survey by the Ghana News Agency (GNA) last Wednesday to ascertain the reaction of both retailers and consumers at the Koforidua market indicated that most consumers decried the unannounced increases.

Toiletries of LEVER Brothers affected include Bar Key Soap, which is now retailed at ?94,400 per carton and ?5,900 for a bar as against its old price of ?88,000 a carton and ?5,500 a bar.

Wrapped Key Soap, which was retailed at ?67,200 a box and ?1,600 for one is now being sold at ?79,200 and ?1,650 respectively. Also affected is Brilliant soap with the blue one being retailed at ?102,000 a box and ?1,700 for one, while white brilliant is being retailed for ?105,000 a box and ?1,750 for one.

The retail price for Blue Brilliant was ?96,000 a box and ?1,600 for one while White Brilliant was ?99,000 a box and ?1,650 for one.

Sunlight Dishwasher (liquid soap) has increased from ?96,000 to ?103,200 for the 400-ML container and from ?8,000 per bottle to ?8,600 .The 750-ML container has increased from a retail price of ?150,000 to ?158,400 . One bottle now costs ?13,200 as against ?12,500 .

The survey discovered that the increase in the LEVER products took effect from August 25, this year with the last increase in July 30, 2001.

NESTLE Ghana Ltd. also increased the prices of some of its beverages such as Ideal Milk, Carnation Milk and Chocolim (500 and 100ml) with effect from Monday September 3.

Some of the retailers lamented that; they were not informed of the increases beforehand explaining that it had made things difficult for customers.