The latest pricing surveys for groceries and gasoline conducted by the Department of Licensing and Consumer Affairs had the following findings:
Gas stations
Service station figures reflect an increase in price in gasoline at the wholesale level that is being seen at the pumps. Esso and Texaco have increased their wholesale price by 8 cents a gallon and Domino by 5 cents.
On St. Croix, the most recent LCA survey found the best buy for self-service regular gas at Five Corners, Glynn, Lionel, Remy's and Tony's service stations, all selling at 96 cents a gallon. The best price for self-service premium was $1.07, at U&W.
For full service, Shauma had the lowest prices for regular ($1.17) as well as premium ($1.20).
On St. Thomas, for self service, the best deal was $1.55 for regular and $1.65 for premium, at both Rodriguez and Tutu Esso. For full service, the lowest prices were at American Yacht Harbor, $1.54 for regular and $1.64 for premium.
On St. John, where only full service is available, Domino in Coral Bay had the better prices — $1.65 for regular and $1.71 for premium.
Groceries
Among supermarkets on St. Croix, the best buy for 51 name-brand items sampled was at Sunshine Supermarket, where the cash register tally came to $120.65. Plaza Extra was second with $126.22, followed by Pueblo in Golden Rock with $133.
On St. Thomas, the best deal for a shopping list of 36 name-brand items was $87.54 at Plaza Extra. Pueblo in Sub Base was second with a tally of $88.32.
Among smaller convenience foodstores, these were the findings:
On St. Croix, for 22 name-brand items surveyed, Concordia Superette had the lowest total, $34.56. Next, in order, were Food Town at $34.84, Princesse Cash & Carry at $35.31 and Centerline Cash & Carry at $36.86.
On St. Thomas, nine items were surveyed. Marina Market had the lowest total, $18.57. Next, in order, were Gourmet Gallery in Sub Base at $22.11 and Gourmet Gallery in Havensight at $22.56.