Jamaica: Consumers feeling the energy squeeze

As more and more disappointing financial returns are published, there is puzzlement in the local business community about the reasons for the slow growth in revenues. So far there is only speculation that there is a slowdown in the economy, but we are yet to hear clear reasoning as to the causes of the anaemic growth in spending. Meanwhile, the leading supermarkets, hardware suppliers, and even gaming enterprises are all feeling the effects of the sluggish consumer spending patterns.

One need not look very far to recognise the huge dent that energy prices have made in the disposable incomes of households in the Kingston Metropolitan Area, towns, and rural areas. With 92 per cent of households having access to electricity, nearly everyone feels the impact of rising oil prices on light bills.
Jamaica Observer