The Consumer Council today (March 11) 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 Sha Tin Wai 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 49g (from $9 to $19.9, or a price difference of 121.1%).
Following closely (between 90% and 65%) were: Ketchup 340g ($5 to $9.5, or 90%); Clear Chicken Broth 1L ($10.5 to $17.9, or 70.5%); Gel-Patch 12's ($50 to $84.5, or 69%); Nouriche Treatment Shampoo 750ml ($26 to $42.9, or 65%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 62.5% to 42.4%) were: Chili Garlic Sauce 226g ($12 to $19.5 or 62.5%); Fresh Cut Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 567g ($7.5 to $11.9, or 58.7%); Sweet Corn Cream Style 418g ($5 to $7.5, or 50%); Milo 400g ($27.9 to $40, or 43.4%); Pre-wash Stain Remover (Lemon) 300ml ($16.5 to $23.5, or 42.4%).
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 18 items in this category at 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery stores in the Sha Tin Wai District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 10% to 90%.
- Overall, the major supermarket chains recorded, in more or less equal number, both the high and the low unit prices. The same phenomenon was found also in grocery stores but individual store had almost only high prices in some items.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 18 items in this category at 11 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 5.6% to 121.1%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major chains offered price incentive for bulk purchase. For example, 2 major chains offered Liquid Detergent 1000ml at $46.9 for 2, averaging $23.5 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 4 items from 2 to 5 stalls at the Sha Kok Market and 3 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 Sha Tin District Office.