Algeria Supermarkets: “You pay cash on the nail! “

Numerous Algerian citizens flock to the newly – established Supermarkets seeking a good bargain. However, the prices displayed in these Supermarkets are outrageously expensive and the customers are often dismayed and go elsewhere for their daily shopping.

• The shopping culture in the Supermarkets remains confined to the big cities and high-heeled boulevards where a minority class of people goes on a buying spree while an overwhelming majority of the Algerian population prefers to get foodstuffs and other basic commodities in the popular markets.
• The big trendy shops have not succeeded in replacing the low – cost “Souk El Fellah” set up in the 70’s and 80’s in various parts of Algeria with much reward.
• However, the Supermarkets touting mostly the wealthy people, mostly display costly imported products.
• A case in point is the staggering price of 500 dinars for an Italian packet of spaghettis in a Kouba Supermarket on the heights of Algiers.
• The price difference is mind boggling, easily reaching 100%.
• By dint of promotion or demagogy, the Algerian citizen has been persuaded that these imported products are better but the blatant truth is that such over lauded products are trivial despite their exorbitant price.
• As a result, most of the Algerian citizens still prefer to shop at the grocer’s to avert any untoward rip-off.