DOHA: An increasing number of consumers are left wondering as to why prices of commodities, including foodstuff, have been rising in Qatar despite a reverse trend being witnessed globally.
World food prices are down almost three percent in recent times but in Qatar they have only been showing an upward trend.
Lack of monitoring of the local market and care-a-damn attitude by consumers at large are to blame for traders taking the hapless consumer for a ride, according to a cross-section of people interviewed.
A Qatari woman said price rise was a matter of concern and that the government should intervene by setting up large shopping complexes that would compete with their private counterparts and sell commodities at fair price.
Noora Al Medadi said the malaise of inflation was primarily a result of consumers’ indifference. People largely remain unbothered by rising prices, she said.
“Traders test the market and consumer behaviour by raising prices slightly, say by two percent. When they see there is no reaction, they would suddenly increase the prices, say by 10 to 15 percent. This is a gradually process.”
Businessman Mubarak Al Hajri said dealers usually take advantage of the fact that most products available in the local market are imported, so they raise prices on the pretext of high shipping and freight charges, among others.
“We favour local production. If items like clothing, pharmaceuticals and food are produced locally, their prices would automatically be down in the local market,” he added.
Al Hajri told Al Sharq that since consumers generally do not object to price rise, outlets go on raising prices.
The Peninsula
