Stirling MP Alyn Smith is today urging local retailers to maintain fair prices for products that may be in higher demand as a result of some people panic buying following the Coronavirus pandemic.
Products such as toilet roll, hand sanitiser and even dried foods such as pasta and rice have been in higher demand due to panic buying in other parts of the world.
Earlier this week, Mr Smith warned consumers against panic buying.
Commenting, Alyn Smith said:
“There have been incidents where opportunistic retailers have sought to cash in on the situation facing us by price-gouging – selling items at a much higher price than is reasonable, particularly when these products are in higher demand.
“I’m aware that companies such as Amazon have suspended accounts guilty of this, involving products such as hand sanitiser and safety masks.
“Thankfully, I’ve not received reports of this happening in the local area so far, however, such incidents have been reported on media in other parts of the country – including a petrol station in Kilmarnock selling hand sanitiser for £20 per bottle.
“Panic and hysteria in other parts of the world over panic buying and price gouging is an unhealthy side effect of this pandemic, but it doesn’t need to be. People understand the need to take sensible measures to help prevent the spread of Covid-19, and maintaining confidence in local businesses will be a crucial part of this.”