The Consumer Council today (January 7) 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 Tseung Kwan O District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Lasting Care Hand Balsam 200ml (from $14.5 to $26.9, or a price difference of 85.5%).
Following closely (between 58.9% and 55.4%) were: Treatment Shampoo - Neutral 750ml ($27 to $42.9, or 58.9%); Barbecue Honey 255g ($7.5 to $11.9, or 58.7%); Worcestershire Sauce 290ml ($22 to $34.4, or 56.4%); Roach & Ant Killer 600ml ($28 to $43.5, or 55.4%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 53.5% to 43.3%) were: Almond Cracker 133g ($9.9 to $15.2 or 53.5%); Ketchup All Natural 340g ($5 to $7.5, or 50%); Toothpaste Jumbo Size 250g ($12 to $17.5, or 45.8%); Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g ($7.9 to $11.5, or 45.6%); Spiced Pork Cubes 142g ($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 20 items in this category at 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains, grocery and drugstores outlets in the Tseung Kwan O District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0.1% to 58.7%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains continued to be generally more expensive, but this survey revealed that prices of some items at individual grocery stores were not low while prices of some items at individual health-and-beauty outlets were quite attractive.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 16 items in this category at 11 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 13.2% to 85.5%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain stores were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some of these outlets however offered goods at lower price on bulk purchase, for example, 2 major supermarket and 2 health-and-beauty chains all offered Baby Shampoo-No More Tears Formula 800ml at $78.8 for 2, averaging $39.4 each, but even after the price discount were still more expensive than drugstores. On the other hand, 1 major supermarket and 1 health-and-beauty chains offered So Shiny Shine Enhancing Shampoo 750ml at $84 for 2, averaging $42 each, thus were cheaper than other outlets.
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 Sheung Tak 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 Sai Kung District Office.