The Consumer Council of Fiji is expected to begin with price comparisons next month to determine the increase in price of some non-price control items from 2006 till now.

Council chief executive Premila Kumar said in order to save on some non-price control items, people should shop around.

The council stressed that only competition between traders, control the prices of non-control items.

Fijivillage compared some non-price control items in supermarkets in Suva which includes chocolates of all types as their prices vary in certain supermarkets, ranging from $2 to $15 for expensive brands like Cadbury, cereals including wheatbix cost between $7 to $9, prices of creamed biscuits range from $2 to $3, a packet of bongo costs 40 cents in some supermarkets whereas in others you can buy four packets for a dollar, imported potato chips cost $2 in some shops and others sell it for $3.

Some non-food items which are not under price control, however, are essential items like bathing soap costs $1-$2 each, washing soap ranges from $3 to $4, washing powder ranges from $8 to $9 per kg, toilet paper, the cheapest is $2 for 10 rolls and some sell the same quantity for $2.50, prices of different brands of toothpastes cost $2.50 in a particular supermarket and some traders sell it for over $3.

Some supermarket managers we spoke to said prices of non-controlled items are decided on maximum of 30% markup and minimum of 20%.

They said they have to do market survey so that their items are not expensive than the market price and at the same time attractive to consumers.

For price control items, they can only put a markup of 10%.