The Consumer Council today (September 3) released its weekly price survey on a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and other retail outlets in the Tuen Mun District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Powerful Cream Cleanser 500ml (from $8 to $18.9, or a price difference of 136.3%).
Following closely were: Hargow 104g (from $8.6 to $15.9, or a difference of 84.9%); Dim Sum Hargow 8 pcs ($8.3 to $14.9, or 79.5%); Fried Dace with Salted Black Beans 184g ($8 to $13.5, or 68.8%); Shin Ramyun Spicy Mushroom Flavor 120g ($3.8 to $5.9, or 55.3%); Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g ($9 to $13.5, or 50%).
The remainders of the top 10 list were: Yellow Label Finest Tea Blend 100 teabags ($29 to $42.9, or 47.9%); Tooth and Gum Care Alcohol-Free Mouth Rinse 750ml ($27 to $39.9, or 47.8%); Mackerel Fillets in Soyabean Oil Salt added with Chilli 120g ($8.5 to $12.5, or 47.1%); 3-in-1 Milk Tea Original x20 ($26.8 to $38.9, or 45.1%).
The survey clearly showed major supermarket chains to possess a distinct advantage of a broad product range but that their prices were, by comparison, mostly less competitive than those of the same products (where available) in other outlets.
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, (b) household and personal care products, and (c) fresh produce, include:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 25 items in this category at 9 retail outlets, from major supermarket chains to frozen food and grocery stores across the Tuen Mun District, was compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 8.5% to 84.9%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains were generally more expensive but some offered discount incentives for bulk purchase. For example, two major supermarket chains offered Dim Sum Hargow 8 pcs at a discounted price of $24.5 for 3 packs, averaging $8.2 each, thus slightly cheaper than the other retail outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 10 items in this category at 9 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 10.8% to 136.3%.
- Price discount incentives for bulk purchase by one major supermarket chain, for example, offered Powerful Cream Cleanser 500ml at $22 for 2 items, averaging $11 each, but even after price discount, drugstores were still comparatively cheaper.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain stores were generally higher than those at drugstores.
Fresh Produce
- Due to possible variations in the place of origin, quality, size or freshness of fresh produce, direct price comparison is considered not suitable.
- A total of 5 items from 3 stalls at the Tuen Mun San Hui Market and 4 major supermarket chains were included in the survey for reference of consumers.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Tuen Mun District Office.