ASK DEALIA MOBIKE APP LAUNCHED TO HELP BARBADIANS SAVE ON EVERYDAY SHOPPING

Barbadian consumers now have a powerful new tool at their fingertips with the launch of the Ask Dealia mobile application, a digital platform designed to improve price transparency, help households manage the rising cost of living, and encourage greater competition among retailers.

The app was officially introduced by Minister of Energy, Business and Commerce, Hon. Kerrie Symmonds,alongside Permanent Secretary Kevin Hunte, and Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Bertram Johnson who outlined the Government’s vision of creating a more informed and empowered consumer.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Symmonds noted that the global economic environment remains unpredictable, making it increasingly important for consumers to have access to reliable information before making purchasing decisions.

He explained that the initiative is intended to protect vulnerable households by giving shoppers the ability to compare prices, identify the best bargains, and make informed choices that stretch their household budgets.

The Minister also stressed that the private sector would continue to be held to public scrutiny through greater price visibility, creating healthy competition among businesses while encouraging competitive pricing for consumers.

The new mobile application builds on the Government’s earlier Price Check programme, which monitored supermarket prices across Barbados.

It also expands on the original Ask Dealia web-based platform that enabled shoppers to plan their grocery purchases online.

With the introduction of the mobile app, these services are now available on smartphones, making it easier for consumers to access real-time information wherever they are.

One Platform for Prices, Deals and Promotions

The Ask Dealia app consolidates consumer information into a single, easy-to-use platform.

Users can, compare prices for everyday consumer products across participating retailers.

Build shopping baskets and identify the stores offering the lowest total cost.

View the latest specials and promotional offers.

Discover retail events and seasonal sales.

Browse products by occasion, including Crop Over, Back-to-School, Christmas and other seasonal shopping periods.

The platform is designed to provide live pricing information, allowing consumers to monitor changing prices and make purchasing decisions based on current market conditions.

One of the standout features of the new application is its integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) assistant.

The interactive assistant enables users to ask questions using natural language, helping them quickly locate products, compare prices, and find the best available deals.

This added functionality makes the shopping experience faster, more intuitive, and accessible for users of all ages.

The application is available free of charge, allowing users to view prices, compare products, access promotions, and build shopping lists without cost.

Adding to its growing list of achievements, Ask Dealia has already received international recognition, earning a Silver Medal at the American Advertising Awards, highlighting both its innovation and its impact as a consumer-focused digital platform.

As the platform goes live, Government hopes the mobile application will become an essential everyday shopping companion, helping Barbadians save money while promoting fairness, transparency, and informed consumer choice across the retail sector.