The Consumer Council today (June 3) 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/Tin 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: Mineralized Water 770ml (from $2 to $4.4, or a price difference of 120%).
Following closely (between 84.2% and 58.3%) were: Children Cooling Gel Sheet 6's ($19 to $35, or 84.2%); Body Intensive Milk 400ml ($28 to $49.9, or 78.2%); Hair Spray 160ml ($23 to $39.9, or 73.5%); Sheer Plasters 25's ($12 to $19, or 58.3%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 56.3% to 40%) were: Patches 10's ($8 to $12.5 or 56.3%); Pork Luncheon Meat 198g ($7.5 to $11.5, or 53.3%); Sweet Soy Sauce 207ml ($7.9 to $11.9, or 50.6%); Pickled Lettuce 170g ($3.5 to $5.2, or 48.6%); All Purpose Marinade with Herbs 410ml ($10 to $14, 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 17 items in this category at 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, health-and-beauty chains, frozen food outlets, grocery and household goods stores in the Aberdeen/Tin Wan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 7.5% to 120%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains recorded more higher unit prices than the other outlets. Some supermarkets and frozen food stores offered price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 2 major supermarket chains and 1 frozen food outlet offered Mineralized Water 770ml at $5.9 for 2 or Buy-2-Get-1-Free, or $9 for 5, averaging respectively $3, $2.9 and $1.8 each but even after the discount prices of supermarkets were still higher than the lowest unit price at other outlets. Promotional prices at the frozen food store were generally lower.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 20 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 7.1% to 84.2%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains and household goods shops were generally higher than those at grocery and drugstores. Some health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase inventives, for example, 1 chain offered Body Intensive Milk 400ml a 15% discount for 2, averaging $42.4 each, but even after the 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 3 items from 2 to 4 stalls at the Aberdeen 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 Southern District Office.