Shoppers reacted with dismay yesterday to the news that the 10 per cent grocery discount will end after next week.

Lindo’s, Supermart and MarketPlace stores agreed to offer the increased discount on Wednesdays beginning in December 2013 as part of an effort to help the public during the present economic challenges.

However, Home Affairs Minister Sen Michael Fahy announced in Senate yesterday that the grocers have all suffered financially because of the weekly discount, and could not continue with the initiative.

“The success of the initiative far exceeded the projected use anticipated by the participating grocers, who have experienced higher revenue loss over that which was projected,” he said.

“Saturdays had been the grocers’ busiest day, with a steady flow of customers throughout the week. However, since the introduction of 10 per cent Wednesdays, the weekly flow of customers diminished considerably, which contributed to the grocers’ bottom-line losses.”

While the grocers told Bermuda Government in June that the initiative could not be sustained after November 2014, they agreed to continue the scheme through the Christmas period to help families.

“Since November 2014, we have continued discussions with the grocers, who agreed to extend the initiative until February 25,” Sen Fahy said. “As such, the last day of the initiative will be one week today.

“Thereafter, the grocers will revert to the original 5 per cent discount that prior to December 4, 2013 was offered at participating stores.

“You will note that the grocers are reminding customers of this fact.”

He said that during the discount period, the Department of Consumer Affairs monitored food prices to allay concerns that the stores might increase prices to counteract the discount, but the Department found no evidence of such actions.

Sen Fahy thanked the grocers involved in the scheme for “engaging in the spirit of shared sacrifice”, saying: “The Government greatly appreciated your agreement to assist the Bermudian public.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to encourage the public to thank the participating stores for their willingness to assist.”

Asked about the end of the discount, Zach Moniz of Lindo’s Family Foods, said: “Regrettably, a 10 per cent discount is just not sustainable on an ongoing basis.”

Yesterday afternoon, shoppers at Supermart on Front Street expressed their disappointment in the decision, remarking how the discount had helped them financially over the last year.

Tabitha Ross said: “It’s going to hurt. Over the last couple of years my grocery bill has pretty much doubled, so on top of Belco and everything else, that 10 per cent was a life saver.”

She said that while having the discount drop back to 5 per cent might not sound as if it would make a huge difference, over time the discount added up. James Wardman, meanwhile, said that he could understand the impact the discount might have had on the stores, saying: “I can understand that it might not be good for the stores in the long run. I know I pretty much only shop on Wednesday’s now unless it’s an emergency.

“I wish it could keep going because it’s a huge help, but it is what it is.”

Outside of MarketPlace on Church Street, one shopper who asked not to be named questioned why the decision was made to cut the discount all the way to five per cent, suggesting that the parties could have found a happy medium in the middle.

“A lot of people are relying on these discounts to put food on their table,” she said.

“My husband is having trouble finding work right now, and things are tight.

“Part of the problem is that the bills for everything else seem to be going up as well.”

Asked if she thought that there might be something coming in the budget to counteract the end of the discount, she said: “That would be nice, but I’ll believe that when I see it.”

Shona Smith, meanwhile, said the end of the discount would make things more difficult, she would rather see it reduced than see people lose their jobs. Asked if she would be back next Wednesday to take advantage of the last day of the discount, she said she would, adding: “I’m going to have to stock up.”