With the new GST Reform legislation having being implemented on August 1st, 2025, some persons are complaining that commodity prices have risen rather than being reduced. However, in the last Press Conference held on Monday, August 25th, the Minister of Economic Development, Mr. Kyle Hodge, said that measures are being taken by the Consumer Affairs Unit to carefully monitor the pricing structure.
Mr. Hodge said that prior to the passage of the GST Reform legislation, there were separate meetings with several businesses including the hotel sector and supermarkets. He said that out of twenty-nine grocers thirteen submitted price lists. With these lists, the Consumer Affairs Unit would be undertaking some monitoring, comparing the pre-GST Reform prices with current prices of certain commodities.
Minister Hodge admitted that following the GST Reform, there were issues experienced, including sudden unexpected increases in prices in some grocery stores. He indicated that the team at the Consumer Affairs Unit is currently collecting the data and will be conducting audits to identify the cause of these increases.
During the Press Conference, Mr. Hodge referred to a report generated by the Consumer Affairs Unit, which pointed out certain responsibilities of both the merchants and the consumers: “That the hardware stores remove the GST from their prices and pass on the saving to the customers; that customers collect receipts and provide the Consumer Affairs Unit with evidence of major price increases so that these cases may be analyzed objectively.”
“All in all,” he said, “we are collecting data including pre-GST removal sales and prices and assessing the various supermarkets and restaurants to understand how the GST Reform has affected prices and sales.”
“Once enough data is collected,” the Consumer Affairs document read, “we will provide a report on our findings, and our price monitoring will be on-going to ensure all future measures are informed by sound marketplace data.”
Minister Hodge also indicated that in speaking with some consumers there were mixed views with several people feeling the relief, while others complained that they did not see any change due to the GST Reform.
“We are continuing to monitor prices,” he said, “especially as it relates to the grocery stores. The Consumer Affairs Unit report, however, clearly shows that in terms of hardware stores and construction – particularly concrete – there is a huge relief due to savings in that sector. Those persons who are engaged in construction are the ultimate beneficiaries.”
“We will pay particular attention to the grocers sector across Anguilla, especially given that there are factors of inflation and global fluctuations in prices where markets are very volatile.”
Minister Hodge noted that overall “there were no major changes expected for food items that were zero-rated back in December 2024.” He also stressed that the 9% Goods Tax implemented as of August 1st does not apply to the previously zero-rated items.
