The Consumer Council today (June 10) 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 Tuen Mun District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml (from $7 to $18.9, or a price difference of 170%).
Following closely (between 104.8% and 59.3%) were: Natural Care Baby Wipes 144's ($27 to $55.3, or 104.8%); Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce 420g ($6.5 to $12.5, or 92.3%); Tuna in Sunflower Oil 185g ($10.5 to $16.9, or 61%); Lipbalm 3.5g ($15 to $23.9, or 59.3%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 58.3% to 45.3%) were: Mach3 Turbo Razor ($41 to $64.9 or 58.3%); Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste 130g ($19 to $29.9, or 57.4%); XO Sardine 215g ($8.5 to $12.5, or 47.1%); 3-in-1 Toilet Cleaner Aqua Fresh 750ml ($7.5 to $10.9, or 45.3%); Bathroom Cleaner Lemon 500ml ($7.5 to $10.9, or 45.3%).
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 19 items in this category at 13 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, frozen food and grocery stores in the Tuen Mun District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 7.8% to 92.3%.
- Some supermarket chains offered price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 4 major supermarket chains offered Seafood Cup Noodle 75g at $12.5 for 2, averaging $6.3 each but even after the discount the price at two individual supermarkets covered in this survey was still lower.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 17 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 16.5% to 170%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase inventives, for example, 5 chains offered Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml at $22 for 2, averaging $11 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 4 items from 2 to 3 stalls at the Tuen Mun San Hui Market and 5 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 Tuen Mun District Office.