More price rises on the way – major retailer warns

Businessman Gerald Voisin said he feared that the weakening of the pound following Brexit, the States crackdown on the number of work licences issued and the introduction of a waste charge could soon result in rising prices in Jersey as businesses pass on their costs to customers.

And Mr Voisin, who owns Voisins department store, called into question the States decision to introduce policies which could add to business costs at a time when supply costs have already increased due to the unfavourable exchange rate.

Mr Voisin added that he believed current States policies were worsening the problem.

‘They are reducing the number of work licences available, meaning that businesses are going to have to increasingly employ staff who have been in the Island for five years or more.

‘That is a shrinking pool and is going to drive up labour costs. Also, you have the introduction of the waste charge, which is going to cost businesses more,’ he said.

JEP Opinion: Retailers can help themselves: Click here.

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