U.S. coffee sales slip after retail price hike

NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. coffee sales fell in the first quarter of 2003 as consumers balked at higher prices sparked by last fall's wholesale price increase by roasters.

In the four weeks ending March 23, retail prices had climbed to an average of $3.25 per lb. from $2.96 in the four weeks ending December 1, according to data collected by Information Resources Inc. (IRI) of Chicago.

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