The Consumer Council today (October 29) 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 Shau Kei Wan District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Tomato Ketchup 340g (from $5 to $9.5, or a price difference of 90%).
Following closely (between 68.8% and 50%) were: Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g ($8 to $13.5, or 68.8%); Fried Dace 184g ($14 to $22.9, or 63.6%); Soy Sauce 600ml ($18.8 to $28.9, or 53.7%); Distilled Water 1.8L ($7.9 to $11.9, or 50.6%); Soft Luxury Body Wash 750ml ($20 to $29.9, or 49.5%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 48.8% to 43.3%) were: Barbecue Honey 255g ($8 to $11.9, or 48.8%); Peanut Oil 900ml ($29.6 to $43.9, or 48.3%); Spiced Pork Cubes 142g ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%); Bowl Gel-Lemon 750ml ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%).
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 22 items in this category at 9 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery outlets in the Shau Kei Wan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0% to 90%.
- 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 Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g at $23.9 for 2, averaging $11.95 each, but even then the discounted unit price was still more expensive than other types of retail outlet in the survey.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 12 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 17.9% to 49.5%.
- 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, 1 supermarket chain offered 5-in-1 Concentrated Laundry Detergent 2.25kg at $83.8 for 2, averaging $41.9 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 6 items from 2 to 4 stalls at the Aldrich Bay Market and 3 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 Eastern District Office.