Economy

Grocery Basket Costs Vary by Up to $89 Between USVI Supermarkets in Latest DLCA Survey

Grocery shoppers could pay substantially different totals depending on which supermarket they choose, according to the V.I. Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs’ latest supermarket comparison, which found gaps of $70.42 between the lowest and highest surveyed baskets on St. Croix, $89.33 on St. Thomas and $51.60 on St. John. The comparisons, conducted for the week of September 7, are based on identical products available at each store on a given island. That distinction is important because DLCA surveyed 89 items on St. Croix, 94 on St. Thomas and 51 on St. John. The agency said the number differs because only identical items can be used for a valid comparison, meaning the overall basket totals should not be used to directly compare the cost of groceries from one island to another. On St. Croix, Pueblo at La Reine recorded the lowest total for the 89-item basket at $425.33, followed by Pueblo at Golden Rock at $439.21, Plaza Extra at $443.05, The Market at $460.01, and Stop...