The Consumer Council today (May 6) 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 Sham Shui Po District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Glutinous Rice Dumpling 225g (from $8.2 to $18.7, or a price difference of 128%).
Following closely (between 100% and 58.9%) were: Glutinous Rice Flour ($5 to $10, or 100%); Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste 120g ($18.5 to $29.9, or 61.6%); Chicken Franks 340.2g ($8 to $12.9, or 61.3%); Treatment Shampoo Normal 750ml ($27 to $42.9, or 58.9%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 58.8% to 47.9%) were: Black Bean Garlic Sauce 227g ($8.5 to $13.5 or 58.8%); Leather Bath Soap 125gx4 ($8.5 to $13.5, or 58.8%); Ointment 20g ($17 to $25.5, or 50%); Pre-wash Stain Remover Lemon 300g ($16.5 to $24.5, or 48.5%); Hot Cocoa Mix Rich Choc 10's ($16.9 to $25, or 47.9%).
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 13 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, grocery and frozen food stores in the Sham Shui Po District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 7.9% to 128%.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 16 items in this category at 18 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 16.3% to 61.6%.
- Overall, prices at individual major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains and Household Goods Shop had a higher percentage of products selling at higher prices. Some supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase price promotion, for example, 2 supermarket chains and 1 health-and-beauty chain offered Foaming Hand Wash 300ml at $31.9 for 2 and $31.8 for 2 respectively, averaging $15.9 each, but even after the price discount it was 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 3 to 4 stalls at the Pei Ho Street 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 Sham Shui Po District Office.