Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958
"New Yorkers have many things to be thankful for this holiday season, but grocery prices are certainly not one of them," said Mayor Giuliani. "The survey clearly indicates that consumers who are not shopping at large supermarkets are paying nearly 30 percent more for Thanksgiving staples like turkey, stuffing, canned pumpkins and yams. Large supermarkets operating in New York City are offering shoppers prices that, on average, are 4 percent less than even suburban store prices. By allowing more large supermarkets and superstores into New York City, we could reduce prices and increase the quality and choice of goods available for New Yorkers."
"The results of the Department's survey illustrate what the Giuliani Administration has asserted all along: the shortage of large supermarkets and superstores in the city has resulted in higher prices for consumers, especially senior citizens and other New Yorkers living on fixed incomes, who cannot travel to a large supermarket or superstore outside the five boroughs," said Commissioner Maldonado. "During the holidays, when both time and budgets are tight for everybody, all New Yorkers deserve the convenience of nearby, affordable large supermarkets and superstores."
The Consumer Affairs market basket survey showed New Yorkers shopping at small local grocery stores were spending on average 30 percent more per pound for a fresh turkey than they would at a large supermarket, paying $1.02 per pound compared to 79 cents a pound. Similarly, frozen turkeys set consumers back $1.06 per pound at local grocery stores compared with 49 cents in large supermarkets in the city, a savings of 116 percent.
Other Thanksgiving staples which had city grocery shoppers shelling out more than large supermarket shoppers included canned cranberry sauce, costing $1.12 per 16 oz can in regular groceries compared with 75 cents in large supermarkets; canned pumpkin, selling for $1.50 per 29 oz. can compared with 79 cents at the large supermarket; canned yams, costing $1.60 for a 40 oz. can compared with 99 cents at the large supermarket; and prepared stuffing, costing $2.39 per 16 oz. package at the grocery store compared with $1.99 at a large supermarket.
The survey also revealed that large supermarkets currently operating in the five boroughs were competitive with suburban supermarkets. Fresh turkeys in suburban supermarkets were 75 cents a pound, a mere four cents less than at large NYC supermarkets. In most other cases, New York City's large supermarkets were even cheaper than their suburban counterparts: frozen turkeys cost 49 cents a pound compared with 74 cents in suburban stores -- 51 percent less; canned cranberries cost 75 cents per 16 oz. can compared with 89 cents in suburban stores -- 19 percent less; canned pumpkin cost 79 cents per 29 oz. can compared with $1.38 in the suburbs -- 75 percent less; canned yams cost 99 cents per 40 oz. can compared with $1.28 in the suburbs -- 29 percent less; and prepared stuffing cost $1.99 per 16 oz. package compared with $2.12 in the suburbs -- 6 percent less.
The only items in the market basket survey where city shoppers saved by sticking to their local grocery store were large eggs ($1.62 per dozen in the suburbs; $1.48 per dozen NYC). On average, the entire 7-item market basket cost $18.27 in New York City's large supermarkets, $18.96 in suburban stores, and $23.25 in city stores surveyed.
"Since an affordable cost of living is one of the most important factors contributing to the general quality of life, liberalizing zoning laws to make large supermarkets and superstores accessible to shoppers in New York City could keep a greater number of New Yorkers living -- and spending -- right here in the city," the Mayor added.
Department of Consumer Affairs inspectors surveyed prices at 60 stores throughout New York City and its surrounding suburbs for the 1996 market basket survey.