THE NATIONAL Consumer Agency says many food imports from Britain have not become cheaper in light of the continued drop in the value of sterling and this is "potentially very serious".
The agency, the independent Government body that advocates on behalf of consumers, has begun discussions with food retailers, but says its "hands are tied" when it comes to company price controls.
Ann Fitzgerald, the agency's chief executive, declined to name the outlets with which the agency had been meeting. "We are particularly concerned that food prices are not being passed on," she said. "This is potentially very serious."
She criticised the euro/sterling conversion differential on clothing items, but said that people "should walk" and leave a particular store.
Ms Fitzgerald said the consumer agency hoped to exert pressure on retailers in the coming months to reflect sterling's decline and to provide information to shoppers through special price surveys.
Meanwhile, the Convenience Stores and Newsagents Association says British magazine titles have become cheaper in Ireland in recent months because of euro/ sterling currency fluctuations.
The association's chief executive Vincent Jennings said the recommended retail price (RRP) for many British magazines had come down as Irish wholesalers bought the magazines three months in advance and factored in the drop in the value of sterling - notwithstanding price increases in the British market itself or seasonal factors.
Its figures suggest that in mid-December, Hello!magazine was on sale for €3.27, but by mid-March the price fell to €3.10, monthly car magazine Max Powerdropped from €7.48 to €7.12 and women's publication Take a Breakfell from €1.34 to €1.28. However, retailers are not obliged to follow the RRP and can charge more.