The Consumer Council today (October 22) 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 Tai Po District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Cooling Gel Sheet 6pcs (from $18 to $29.9, or a price difference of 66.1%).
Following closely (between 55% and 50.6%) were: Sweet Chilli Sauce for Chicken 350g (from $10 to $15.5, or 55%); Frozen Breaded Chicken Steaks Fully Cooked 6pcs ($14 to $21.5, or 53.6%); Fresh Cut Sliced Pineapple (in Syrup) 836g ($10.2 to $15.5, or 52%); Natural Care Baby Wipes 160pcs ($26.5 to $39.9, or 50.6%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 49.5% to 46.5%) were: Facial Wash Scrub 120g ($22 to $32.9, or 49.5%); Oil Control Cleansing Mud 100g ($27 to $39.9, or 47.8%); Pantyliner 40pcs ($11.5 to $16.9, or 47%); Adult Soft Diapers 10pcs ($34 to $49.9, or 46.8%); Baby Softwave Skincare Wipes 80pcs ($17 to $24.9, or 46.5%).
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 24 items in this category at 8 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarket stores, frozen food and grocery outlets in the Tai Po District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0% to 55%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains were generally more expensive. Some supermarket chains offered some goods at cheaper price on bulk purchase, for example, a major chain offered Chopped Pork and Ham 397g at $38.8 for 2, averaging $19.4 each, but even then the discounted unit price was still more expensive than another type of retail outlet in the survey.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 11 items in this category at 9 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 17.4% to 66.1%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain stores were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some supermarket chains offered discount for bulk purchase, for example, 2 supermarket chains alongside the health-and-beauty chain stores offered Baby Softwave Skincare Wipes 80pcs at $67.5 for 3, averaging $22.5 each, but the discounted unit price was still 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 2 to 3 stalls at the Tai Yuen 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 Tai Po District Office.