I refer to the item ‘Retailers’ confidence hits all-time low, finds survey’ (August 29).

I was not surprised since, from experience, the huge difference of prices between local and continental are surprising.

Just to mention one example: six electricity items bought over the internet, all identical and of the same make, cost £2 (sterling) from the UK and one was given free; from a local retailer, five identical items were priced at €15.

I think it is such prices that are surprising and not the fact that retailers are complaining of lower sales. And this is another reason why more Maltese consumers are buying from the continent through internet.