Antigua and Barbuda Moves to Tighten Price Control Laws After Retailer Pushback

Cabinet Moves to Tighten Price Control Laws After Retailer Pushback

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has ordered swift action to strengthen price control laws after inspectors reported resistance from some retailers, including refusals to provide invoices and instances of verbal abuse during compliance checks.

Director General of Communications in the Prime Minister’s Office Maurice Merchant said Cabinet was briefed on ongoing monitoring by the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division following recent tax and duty reductions aimed at lowering the cost of fruits, vegetables and other basic food items.

While some major supermarkets have shown partial compliance, officials reported that several retailers and suppliers have declined to provide invoices and pricing documentation, despite this being a legal requirement under existing legislation. Inspectors also reported being ordered off properties and subjected to hostile language during inspections.

Cabinet was told that enforcement under the current legal framework — the Prices Control Act of 1957 — is cumbersome and slow, limiting the government’s ability to achieve timely compliance. As a result, Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Legal Affairs to move quickly to amend the law to strengthen enforcement mechanisms and penalties.

Merchant said Cabinet views the matter seriously and is committed to ensuring that reductions in taxes and duties are passed on to consumers in a transparent and timely manner. He noted that Antigua and Barbuda continues to import inflation from major trading partners, and that tax relief measures are intended to cushion consumers from rising global prices.

As part of the response, Cabinet approved the addition of nine new staff members to the Prices and Consumer Affairs Division to expand inspection capacity across retail outlets. The division has also been instructed to return to Cabinet every two weeks with progress reports on compliance and enforcement.

Cabinet has also directed officials to review additional goods that may be placed under price control as part of broader efforts to safeguard consumers and ensure fairness in the marketplace.

The government has signaled that further enforcement measures will be announced in the coming weeks as legislative amendments are prepared.

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