JEDDAH: The Ministry of Trade and Industry is investigating numerous complaints from the public concerning price hikes in food and consumer products. Sources said many complaints concern increases in the price of male underwear of between 25 and 50 percent. Clothes outlet traders said that manufacturer representatives had informed them a week ago that their products would be hit by rises of between eight and 12 percent. The price hikes come in contrast to what is normally a season of discounts, and the ministry has urged the public to report any instances of suspected price fixing via its designated hotline number 8001241616. Rises in rents, meanwhile, have led to some stores suspending their activities. Some outlets have seen their rents go up by as much as 50 percent. A barber in Jeddah said the owner of his shop had put the rent up from SR60,000 to SR90,000 a year, forcing him to close and search for another site. “They need to find a solution to these hikes which are even hitting shops and stores themselves,” he said. Saudi Gazette reported Saturday a source at the Ministry of Trade and Industry as saying that it receives some 1,500 complaints at price rises from the public every day.
