The Consumer Council today (January 14) 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 To Kwa 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: Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml (from $9 to $14, or a price difference of 55.6%).
Following closely (between 52.6% and 44.4%) were: Sesame Oil 150ml ($9.5 to $14.5, or 52.6%); Soy Sauce 600ml ($21 to $30.9, or 47.1%); Toothpaste 250g ($12 to $17.5, or 45.8%); Sichuan Preserved Vegetable 200g ($4.5 to $6.5, or 44.4%).
The remainders of the top 10 list (ranging from 42.9% to 40%) were: Clear Chicken Broth 1L ($10.5 to $15 or 42.9%); Eyedrop 13ml ($31 to $44, or 41.9%); Moisturising Shower Foam 2L ($27 to $37.9, or 40.4%); Shrimp Shaomai 10pcs ($9.2 to $12.9, or 40.2%); Chicken Franks 340.2g ($8.5 to $11.9, or 40%).
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, individual supermarkets, frozen food and grocery stores in the To Kwa Wan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 4.1% to 52.6%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains continued to be generally more expensive, but some chains offered price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 3 major supermarket chains offered Oyster Sauce 510g at $32.8 for 2, averaging $16.4 each, thus cheaper than the other outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 12 items in this category at 14 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 5.3% to 55.6%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains, as well as some health-and-beauty chain stores and individual supermarkets, were generally higher than those at drugstores. But some chains may offer price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 3 major supermarket chains offered Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml at $19.9 and $19.8 respectively, averaging $9.9 each, but even after the price discount they were still more expensive than 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 To Kwa 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 Kowloon City District Office.