The Consumer Council today (February 18) 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 Aberdeen District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 106g (from $15 to $29.9, or a price difference of 99.3%).
Following closely (between 94.9% and 59%) were: Tomato Paste 170g ($5.9 to $11.5, or 94.9%); Fried Dace 184g ($13 to $22.9, or 76.2%); Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g ($7.9 to $13.5, or 70.9%); Lasting Care Hand Balsam 80ml ($10 to $15.9, or 59%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 53.6% to 40%) were: Chinese Marinade 410ml ($9.7 to $14.9 or 53.6%); Sweetened Condensed Milk 370g ($7.9 to $12, or 51.9%); Jelly Powder Mango Flavour 90g ($3.3 to $5, or 51.5%); Cooling Gel Sheet (Children) 6's ($22 to $32.5, or 47.7%); Double Action Toothpaste 250g ($12.5 to $17.5, 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 9 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarket, frozen food shop, snacks and grocery stores in the Aberdeen District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 6.3% to 94.9%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains and snacks store recorded more higher unit prices than the other outlets. But some major supermarket chains offered price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 1 major chain offered Chopped Pork and Ham 198g at $29.9 for 3, averaging $10 each, thus cheaper than the other outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 13 items in this category at 8 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 13.2% to 99.3%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major chains offered price incentive for bulk purchase. For example, 2 major chains and a health-and-beauty chain offered Therapy Shampoo 700ml at $95 for 2, averaging $47.5 each but even after the discount they were still more expensive 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 2 to 4 stalls at the Wah Fu 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 Southern District Office.