Drycleaners upset

Press, 12 April 1984, Page 31

Drycleaners upset

PA Wellington Drycleaners believe their reputation on prices is near spotless. The Prime Minister, Sir Robert Muldoon, had named drycleaners as one of the culprits when he attacked post-freeze price hikes. That has upset the drycleaners. Only one of the dozen large drycleaning companies had' increased charges since the price freeze ended, according to ®e Federation of LSunder-

ers and Drycleaners. Its president, Mr Malcolm Edgar, said that that increase had had Trade and Industry Department approval. Mr Edgar rejected Sir Robert’s claims that it was increasing its charges irresponsibly. Checks with Consumers’ Institutes in Auckland and Wellington and Trade and Industry “indicate that no complaints have been received from the public to date. . .” T

He said that a few small drycleaning companies, mostly owner run, might have lifted prices but these firms had been charging below normal rates during the freeze and higher costs meant lower profit margins.

“The public should realise that drycleaning is a competitive industry, competing for a diminishing proportion of the discretionary spending dollar of the consumer,” Mr Edgar said.