The Consumer Council today (November 5) 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 Ma On Shan District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Breakfast Cereal 170g (from $12 to $20, or a price difference of 66.7%).
Following closely (between 46.3% and 40.4%) were: Sweetened Milk Spread 388g ($8 to $11.7, or 46.3%); Moisturising Shower Foam 2L ($26 to $37.9, or 45.8%); Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%); Almond Pastry 168g (14 individual packs) ($9.9 to $13.9, or 40.4%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 38.6% to 32.7%) were: Pitted Prunes 500g ($29.5 to $40.9, or 38.6%); Shrimp Shaomai 10pcs ($9.4 to $12.9, or 37.2%); Fried Dace with Salted Beans 184g ($14 to $18.9, or 35%); In-wash Stain Remover 2kg ($26 to $34.9, or 34.2%); Shin Ramyun/Noodle 72g ($4.9 to $6.5, or 32.7%).
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 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery outlets, small retail shops, and health-and-beauty chains and drugstores in the Ma On Shan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 1.3% to 66.7%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains were generally more expensive. Some supermarket chains offered some goods at cheaper price on bulk purchase, for example, 3 major chains offered Sweetened Milk Spread 388g at $14.9 for 2, averaging $7.5 each, and were thus comparatively cheaper than the drugstores.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 11 items in this category at 9 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 6.1% to 45.8%.
- 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 Liquid Laundry Detergent 3L at $99.8 for 2, averaging $49.9 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 4 items from 1 to 3 stalls at the Sunshine City Market and 2 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 Shatin District Office.
English version of supermarket pricewatch portal
The Consumer Council's supermarket pricewatch portal is now available also in English.
The portal was launched originally in Chinese only, prompting calls for an English version.
The now bilingual portal compares prices of some 500 items covering 10 categories of food and household/personal care products.
The price data are sourced from the online shopping websites of 4 major supermarket chains - Dah Chong Hong, Jusco, Wellcome, ParknShop - and updated daily.