Jamshid Zafer Talab, the head of the Grocery Sellers Union of Karaj, expressed serious concerns about the purchasing power of the people, referring to the increase in spice prices in the market, especially turmeric and cardamom. He said: "A large portion of the spices available in the market is imported, and the rising supply and transportation costs affect their prices."
Astounding Increase in Spice Prices
The price of turmeric, which was previously around 200,000 to 300,000 tomans per kilogram, has now reached about 700,000 to 800,000 tomans. Additionally, the price of cardamom has risen to about 15 to 16 million tomans per kilogram, making it difficult for many consumers to purchase. Zafer Talab added: "This product is widely used in the confectionery industry, but its price increase has led some consumers to refrain from buying it."
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Change in Household Purchasing Patterns
The head of the Grocery Sellers Union of Karaj discussed the change in people's purchasing patterns, stating: "The types of goods that people buy have not changed significantly, but the volume of purchases has decreased. In the past, some households would do their monthly shopping all at once, but now their purchasing amount has decreased to about half." This situation is also observed for other items including rice, meat, chicken, and dairy products.
Zafer Talab also pointed out the impact of these conditions on the sales of retail units, saying: "When people's income does not rise in proportion to price increases, their purchasing power decreases, and consequently, grocery sales also decline."
Financial Problems and Delays in Settling Claims
Another challenge in the market is the delay in settling the claims of retail units under the commodity card scheme. Zafer Talab stated that delays in payment put pressure on the liquidity of grocery sellers, adding: "These delays can reach about a week, and this issue complicates our colleagues' ability to purchase goods again."
Zafer Talab also addressed the supervision of prices and preventing overpricing, saying: "Inspections are conducted continuously and daily, and the market situation is monitored. However, it is necessary to distinguish between overpricing and price increases resulting from rising purchasing costs."
Competition with Chain Stores
Zafer Talab also referred to the challenges faced by local grocery stores in competing with chain stores. He said: "Grocery sellers have been present in neighborhoods for a long time and have not only met the daily needs of people but also maintained close relationships with their customers. However, with the expansion of chain stores and the offering of significant discounts, the operations of small retail units have become more challenging."
Ultimately, Zafer Talab emphasized the need to support small retail units, stating: "To sustain the operations of these units and prevent their gradual elimination, we need solutions that can assist them."
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