PEOPLES GAZETTE
Some wholesalers and retailers of liquor and beverages have decried low levels of patronage of their products amid soaring costs, following price increment by bottling companies across the country.
The sellers during an in Lagos on Saturday said there had been a 100 per cent price increase compared to the same period in 2023.
Already, notification of upward price review had been issued by the bottling companies.
A 50cl pet bottle of different brands of soft drink currently sells for N300 as against N150 in 2023.
Also, alcoholic beverages including canned beer with current price pegged at N700 were previously N400, while a can of Malt drink increased to N400 from N250.
Similarly, the intoxicant business recorded almost 100 per cent price increment from N350 to N600 during the period under review.
A supermarket operator, Mercy Igalawuye, noted that sales of the items had dropped considerably by 30 per cent in her store.
She charged the government to review the national economy holistically, while addressing inflationary pressures across the country.
She said, “Let the government look at areas where they can help, because the way it is, it’s only God and the government that can help us. People can barely eat or afford basic things anymore, not to talk of luxury like soft drinks. This is why it is important…
