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DUE to the numerous promotions run by supermarkets during the festive season, prices of most commodities went down resulting in a marginally lower cost of living for the month of December.

The cost of living as measured by the Consumer Council of Zimbabwe’s low income urban earner monthly basket for a family of six decreased from $592.47 in November 2014 to $590.46 by end December 2014, showing a decrease 0.34 percent.

“As CCZ we have observed that the slight decreases in prices are as a result of promotions like Amazing Christmas cheers (OK), Festive Savings (TM), Festive season (Food World) etc.

“This is generally a strategy devised by retailers to attract more customers whilst keeping the competitive edge,” CCZ said.

According to the consumer body, the food basket decreased by $1.74 from $147.74 to $146.00 while the price of detergents decreased by 27c from $10.73 to $10.46 as a result of decrease in the price of laundry bar.

Increase in prices was recorded in flour which went up by 5c from $1.84 to $1.89, a 2kg of rice by 4c from $1.63 to $1.67, sugar went up by 12c from $1.67 to $1.79 while cooking oil increased by 4c from $1.56 to $1.60 and washing powder increased by 15c from $1.15 to $1.30.

Decreases were recorded in the price of margarine which went down by 2c from $1.71 to $1.69 while a 20kg of roller meal decreased by 15c from $11.50 to $11.35. The price of tea leaves also went down by 17c from $1.27 to $1.10, salt by 8c from $0.28 to $0. 20, a kilogramme of tomatoes by 3c from $0.68 to $0.65, a kg of onions decreased by 5c from $0.75 to $0.70 and cabbage by 10c from $0.59 to $0.49 per head.

There was a 5c decline in the price of beef from $4.83 to $4.78 while bath soap went down by 11c from $0.66 to $0.55 and laundry bar decreased by 7c from $1.16 to $1.09.

The price of bread and fresh milk remained unchanged from the end of November 2014 figures. – BH24.