Kleenex, Häagen-Dazs and tinned cream were just some of the items Bermudians listed off when asked if prices had gone up on their grocery bills.

As part of The Royal Gazette's series looking at how international economic factors are impacting your wallets we took to the streets of Hamilton yesterday and asked people their views.

The rising cost of energy is a mjaor factor in rising food costs. And with the price of crude oil futures soaring yesterday to almsot $137 a barrel, as the US dollar fell on currency markets and the US Energy Department said oil inventories fell much more than expected last week, Bermuda can expect to see prices continue to rise.

Shoppers told us they were balking at the price tags of some of their usual purchases. Across the board everyone complained that prices as a whole were rising, but some shoppers said they were changing brands to fight back against sharp increases.

"I've been buying the same brand of Kleenex tissues for years," a postal clerk said on Reid Street. "Its been $2.05 for the last year but suddenly it was marked at $4.75. I thought it was a mistake, but it wasn't. I've been buying that brand forever but I've switched now.

"I've definitely been swapping my brands to try and get the deals, but some people are just still spending."

Single mother of two Ruby Ann Burchall said she's noticed her bills climbing: "The prices seem to change every week. I have two kids, a nine-year-old and two-year-old, and they sure do eat.

"I've started shopping at wholesalers as it is cheaper to buy in bulk."

Another woman, who works as an human resources manger, said she would have to start cutting down on her favourite treat.

"Those small, single servings of Häagen-Dazs, they have gone from $1.90 to $2.15," she said. "It is going to take me a while to wrap my head around that one! I noticed it today and now I'm going to have to cut down on them because that is a ridiculous price for such a small amount."

Students Michelle Pimentel and Jerycka Dillas said they can't believe how much one bag of groceries costs. Ms Pimentel said it was now costing her $60 instead of $40.

"And I am just getting the basics," she said. "All it is, is cheese, bread, some ham - nothing lavish. It's not a lot of food but it costs a lot."

Ms Dillas said: "I've just come back from school in Canada and because the Canadian dollar is so strong a lot of the goods cost the same here and there. But not food, it costs so much more here!"

Undray Lightbourne said he had noticed prices climb but said inflation always rose.

"I've also kept myself on a budget," he said. "But I've observed a lot of the prices going up and eating out has really increased in the last few months."

Security guard Dennis Smith said he had noticed the prices of many goods rising as inflation picked up.

BF&M claims officer Andrea Lassalle said she has no option but to shell out more for the same goods: "What can we do? It's the basics of life that are costing more. We need food and the prices are rising."