The Consumer Council today (December 10) 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 Kowloon City District.
In the analysis were listed the top 11 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Superior Light Soy Sauce 500ml (from $7.5 to $15.1, or a price difference of 101.3%).
Following closely (between 70% and 42.1%) were: Aroma Therapy Anti-stress shower gel 750ml ($17 to $28.9, or 70%); Corned Beef 340g ($9 to $14.9, or 65.6%); Ketchup 340g ($5 to $7.9, or 58%); Spiced Pork Cubes 142g ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%); Medicated Lipbalm ($14 to $19.9, or 42.1%).
The remainders of the top 11 list (ranging from 40.4% to 37.2%) were: Pack Almond Pastry 168g ($9.9 to $13.9, or 40.4%); Blended Sesame Oil 150ml ($10 to $14, or 40%); One Minute (hair) Treatment 150ml ($10 to $14, or 40%); Peanut Oil 900ml ($32 to $43.9, or 37.2%); Pure Peanut Oil 900ml ($32 to $43.9, or 37.2%).
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 24 items in this category at 10 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery outlets, and health-and-beauty chain stores in the Kowloon City District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 4% to 101.3%.
- 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 Beef Flavoured Instant Mifun 70g at $7.2 for 3, averaging $2.4 each; 1 chain offered Full Cream Evaporated Milk 160g at $13 for 2, averaging $6.5 each, and thus cheaper in both cases.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 12 items in this category at 10 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 17.4% to 70%.
- 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 4 items from 2 to 4 stalls at the Kowloon 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 Kowloon City District Office.