The Consumer Council today (April 8) 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 Sheung Shui District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Tomato Paste 6oz (from $5 to $10.9, or a price difference of 118%).
Following closely (between 110.7% and 71.2%) were: Pickled Cabbage 200g ($2.8 to $5.9, or 110.7%); Peanut Oil 1L ($38 to $71.9, or 89.2%); Anti-Dandruff & Scalp Care 700ml ($40 to $69.9, or 74.8%); Almond Chocolate 74g ($11.8 to $20.2, or 71.2%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 66.4% to 48.8%) were: Featherlite Condom 12s ($36 to $59.9 or 66.4%); Top Super Soft Detergent 2.3kg ($29.5 to $46.9, or 59%); Corn Starch 420g ($5.9 to $9, or 52.5%); Gentle Whitening Toothpaste 120g ($25 to $37.9, or 51.6%); 3 in 1 Toilet Cleaner Aqua Fresh 750ml ($8 to $11.9, or 48.8%).
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 14 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, health-and-beauty chains, grocery and snack stores in the Sheung Shui District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0% to 118%.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase price incentive, for example, 2 chains offered Pickled Cabbage 200g at "$6.9 for 2" and "$1 more to get 1 more item" respectively, averaging $3.5 each, but even after the discount the price was still higher than the other types of outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 15 items in this category at 12 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 14.8% to 74.8%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major supermarkets offered price incentive for bulk purchase. For example, 1 major chain offered Gentle Whitening Toothpaste 120g at $47.9 for 2, averaging $24 each, thus slightly cheaper 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 1 to 3 stalls at the Shek Wu Hui 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 North District Office.