St. Lca: Who's looking out for you?

"The two leading super market chains and household names on the island JQ Charles Ltd and Julien's Super market have pulled their resources together to form an alliance called consolidated foods.

"According to Michael Chastenet Chairman of the company which is only three days old there are approximately 9 directors who intend to work purposefully to serve customers in the professional and efficient manner that they have become used to.

"According to Mr.Chastenet the alliance of the two companies is nothing close to a monopoly as there is no legislation in place to prevent any one local or otherwise from opening a supermarket on the island.

"He says JQ Charles Ltd and Julien's Supermarket are simply two companies seeking to protect the interests."

This is all too disingenuous for words. Who is looking after the interests of consumers in St. Lucia? Who's to stop this mega-company from engaging in price-gouging? While there may be no legislation to prevent any one else from opening another supermarket on the island, the point of the matter is that these two companies will, no doubt, be wielding a lot of power. Thus, they might very well influence whether the government grants potential rivals permits to open new grocery stores that would challenge J & JQ's little fiefdom.

In order for businesses to remain honest, in order for prices to remain low, in order for the interests of the consumer to be protected, there must be competition in the marketplace.