The Consumer Council today (December 24) 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 Tsuen 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: Coconut Milk 400ml (from $7 to $16.9, or a price difference of 141.4%).
Following closely (between 99.4% and 61.9%) were: Imitation Crab Stick 250g ($16 to $31.9, or 99.4%); Total Professional Dental Clean Gel 160g ($15 to $29.5, or 96.7%); Moisturising Shower Foam 1000ml ($13 to $23.9, or 83.8%); Fried Dace with Salted Black Beans 227g ($13.9 to $22.5, or 61.9%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 59.2% to 41.9%) were: Furniture Polish Lemon 330ml ($25 to $39.8 or 59.2%); Chocolate Sandwich Cookies 288g ($15 to $22.9, or 52.7%); Superior Light Soy Sauce 500ml ($7.9 to $11.5, or 45.6%); Decongestant Analgesic Ointment 85g ($29 to $42, or 44.8%); Floor Cleaner Disinfectant 3L ($26 to $36.9, or 41.9%). 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 21 items in this category at 11 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets and department stores, and frozen food and grocery outlets in the Tsuen Wan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 5.7% to 141.4%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains were generally more expensive, but some supermarket chains offered some goods at lower price on bulk purchase. For example, in the case of Coconut Milk 400ml, 1 major chain offered buy-2-get-1-free, averaging at $11.3 each, while another one offered the same product at $23 for 2, averaging $11.5, but even after the price discount they were still more expensive than the other retail outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 15 items in this category at 10 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 7.3% to 96.7%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain stores were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major supermarket chains offered goods at lower price on bulk purchase, for example, 2 major chains offered Foaming Hand Wash (Moisturizing) 300ml at $31.8 and $31.9 for 2 respectively, averaging $16 each in both cases but even after the discount the price was higher than those at 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 4 items from 2-4 stalls at the Tsuen Wan 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 Tsuen Wan District Office.