The Consumer Council today (December 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 Lai Chi Kok District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1L (from $79.9 to $137, or a price difference of 71.5%).
Following closely (between 62.2% and 42.2%) were: Whole Kernel Corn 380g ($4.5 to $7.3, or 62.2%); Lightsoy Sauce 500ml ($10 to $14.9, or 49%); Soy Sauce 600ml ($20 to $28.9, or 44.5%); Sesame Soda Cracker 130g ($4.5 to $6.4, or 42.2%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 41.3% to 25.2%) were: Pork Luncheon Meat 340g ($13.8 to $19.5, or 41.3%); Pickled Cabbage 200g ($3.5 to $4.9, or 40%); Kitchen Magiclean (Regular) 500ml ($8.5 to $10.9, or 28.2%); Pork Luncheon Meat 198g ($8.3 to $10.5, or 26.5%); Chopped Pork and Ham 198g ($11.9 to $14.9, or 25.2%).
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 26 items in this category at 8 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery outlets, and health-and-beauty chain stores in the Lai Chi Kok District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0% to 71.5%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains were generally more expensive. Some supermarket chains offered some goods at lower price on bulk purchase, for example, 2 major chains offered Oyster Sauce with Dried Scallop 510g at $32.8 for 2, averaging $16.4 each, thus cheaper than other retail outlets. In another example, 2 major chains offered Lightsoy Sauce 500ml at $21.9 for 2, averaging $11 each, but even after the discount the price was still higher than those at grocery outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 11 items in this category at 10 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 3.8% to 28.2%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain stores were generally higher than those at drugstores. Two major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentive in Baby Shampoo 800ml at $78.8 for 2, averaging $39.4 each, but were still more expensive than the drugstores. Also, three major chains offered Softlan Natural Refill 2L at $30 for 2, averaging $15 each, thus cheaper than the 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 3 items from 1 to 4 stalls at the Mei Foo Lai Wan 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 Sham Shui Po District Office.