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Show Food prices rise 4.4 percent in Cedar Copyright 1981 The Iron County Record I This article is the second in a special 1 series examing the cost of living in Iron B II County. The three-part series runs I H quarterly in the Iron County Record. afcJL Today's story looks at Cedar City grocery jT ir prices, comparing them with the prices f (ijf'VJ lree montls an( a year as- 1 Vjl By RANDY DANIELS Record Reporter w V CEDAR CITY - In this past year, food prices in Cedar City have risen an average iT of 4.4 percent, and 2.65 percent of that raise jP has occurred in the last three months. A survey conducted by the Iron County Record Dec. 10 shows that prices in the four local grocery stores have risen $3.18 during the past year on a bill totaling over $70. The biggest portion of the raise occurred during the last quarter of the year, between September and December. The average total grocery price increase during this last quarter was $1.92. It is interesting to note that during this past quarter Store D's prices increased only .8 percent or 62 cents, while Store C's prices increased 4 percent or $2.86 of the year's increase which totaled 4.2 percent. Last year at this time, the Record reported that the average price of the four grocery stores for 55 common grocery items was $72.20. This year the same 55 items cost an average of $75.37 or 4.4 percent more. All four Cedar City grocery stores Albertson's, Keith's Westside, Lin's Thriftway and Safeway were included in the survey of the 55 grocery itemes commonly purchased on a trip to the market. Where possible the same brands of each item were compared in all four stores. Where this was not possible, similar brands were surveyed. Always the same size or quantity of the item was used. Readers should be cautioned that some of the differences between items now, three months ago and a year ago are caused by sales; however, others weren't. Another interesting fact that the survey brings out is that the difference between the highest total in a store and the lowest total is only $1.68. A year ago that difference was only $1.28. The price difference would indicate that the price of the grocery items is not a significant factor in deciding where to buy. Other services, for example, bagging, friendliness, customer service, convenience and possibly store layout, would tend to help determine whether a customer will shop at one store over another. As indicated, Store D's prices are the highest and C's prices are the lowest. The same was true a year ago. Stores A and B have switched places during the course of the year, with A s prices rising over B's by 25 cents. Last year, B's prices were lover by a slim 11 cents. JJJJjJJJjv See chart on page A3 II " Other services, for example, bagging, ' fcrf,&S&&:?i r;& friendliness, customer service, convenience f i-"lTNy I MMw and Possmlv store layout, would tend to help I ill J r iN. determine whether a customer will shop at I I WJ II II II III II MJ'-'-' Xv one store over another. V Iff.! I II .SmWnk' As indicated, Store D's prices are the X M y0s''-r-''T highest and C's prices are the lowest. The S. III I I II f0i': '''CKv. same was true a year ago. Stores A and B p UIJ)JI '' '''; 'Ogjv have switched places during the course of I Ijx I JMSfff f :'' mh;-;-'V the year, with A's prices rising over B's by By I ' ' "'''.'V IT'S 25 cnts-Last year, B's prices were lover by |