We've Got Mail: The high price of organic cornflakes in the Republic has prompted Kathleen Reid from Greystones, Co Wicklow, to send us an email.
In her local Tesco a box of Whole Earth Gluten Free Cornflakes has recently increased from €2.89 to €3.01, she says, but it is not the rising price that has angered her but the huge difference in the cost of the same cereal north and south of the Border.
The same breakfast cereal is selling in Sainsbury's outlets in Northern Ireland for £1.19 or €1.73. In Asda stores across the North it is even cheaper, and Whole Earth cornflakes sell for just £0.89 or €1.30.
"I've asked my local Tesco (twice) to explain the price difference but got no explanation," she writes. "I telephoned Tesco head office in Dún Laoghaire many months ago but it never got back to me. It seems crazy that the price is almost double here what it is in the North," she concludes.
A quick check online confirms that the Asda price for the Whole Earth cereal remains a rock-bottom €1.30, while Tesco in the Republic is indeed selling it for €3.01. Other supermarket chains in the Republic are charging an even more hefty €3.09.
We contacted Tesco on Reid's behalf to try to establish how the cereal could cost so much more in Dublin than in an Asda outlet in Omagh. In a statement, Tesco Ireland said repeated studies had shown that grocery prices were approximately 15 per cent more in the Republic due mainly to the higher costs, including wages, energy, rents, transport and VAT which apply south of the Border.
"These differences apply to all retailers," the statement said, adding that its own surveys showed that prices in its Republic outlets "are consistently cheaper than in other retailers". The company also said that it was lowering the price of 200 organic grocery items from today and Whole Earth Gluten Free Cornflakes will be reduced from €3.09 to €2.59.
POP OUT AND SAVE
Brendan McGrath from Dublin has been in touch about last week's item on the high price of popcorn and soft drinks at cinemas. He suggests an alternative to paying through the nose to stuff your face while watching the latest blockbuster - bring your own.
McGrath points out that you can get all the microwave popcorn you can possibly eat for no more than €1.60 and there is nothing to stop you preparing it at home and bringing it to the cinema with you.
"If you're going to Vue at Liffey Valley," he writes, "buy your drinks at Boots for half the price (located very conveniently right beside the Vue ticket desk). If you're going to Cineworld on Parnell Street, do the same with the popcorn and buy the drinks at the Spar across the road - again for half the price."
GAP IN PRICES
Lynn Fitzpatrick sent us a text message about a Gap shirt.
"I have just seen a Gap shirt for sale in Arnott's for €50," she writes. "Two weeks ago I bought the same shirt in Paris for €20."
pricewatch@irish-times.ie Text: 085-1645267
