Prices at two major supermarket chains have become closely competitive.
This was borne out in the bi-weekly price survey of the Consumer Council which collected earlier today (May 21) the prices of a basket of 15 commodities comprising mainly grocery items and rice, milk powder and household detergents from 16 different retail outlets.
The latest survey, conducted in the district of Kwun Tong, produced a rather different pricing pattern from previous surveys which showed that the major supermarket chains are generally charging more compared with the smaller grocery and drugstore outlets.
Out of the 15 items surveyed, the lowest price of 7 items was found in either or both of the two supermarket chains.
The items were: a brand of Premium Thai Fragrant Rice 5kg ($47.9); a Cream of Chicken Soup 305g ($6.5); a Ketchup 340g ($4.9); a Premium Oyster Sauce 255g ($15); a Chicken Powder 273g ($17.8); a Chinese Liquor Shuang Jin Chiew 500ml ($10.9); and a Jelly Powder Mango Flavour 90g ($3.3).
However, the prices at a major supermarket chain were found to be higher than most other outlets surveyed. Out of the 15 items, this supermarket chain was the most expensive in 10 items (although the prices of 2 items would be adjusted downwards if purchased in bulk).
The bi-weekly survey continued to reveal price differences of the same products among the various retail outlets. The highest price differential was found in the case of a Ketchup 340g priced from $4.9, the lowest, to $9.5, the highest, a difference of 93.9%.
Other notable price differentials included: a Cream of Chicken Soup 305g ($6.5 to $10.5) 61.5% difference, a Powerful Cream Cleanser 500ml ($8 to $12.9) 61.3%, a Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 567g ($8 to $12.6) 57.5%, and a Jelly Powder 90g ($3.3 to $5) 51.5%.
Consumers are advised to take advantage of the price differences by shopping around and comparing prices for value for money.
Results of the price survey are available for reference of consumers at the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres as well as the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Kwun Tong District Office.