The Consumer Council today (September 2) 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 Wan Chai 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 Flour 600g (from $5 to $10, or a price difference of 100%).
Following closely (between 83.9% and 64.8%) were: Tooth and Gum Care Alcohol-Free Mouth Rinse 750ml ($33 to $60.7, or 83.9%); Bath Soap 125gx4 ($8.5 to $15, or 76.5%); Fiesta Tropical Fruit Mix 850g ($10 to $16.5, or 65%); LipIce Lipbalm (Lemon) 3.5g ($14.5 to $23.9 or 64.8%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 61.3% to 53.1%) were: Chicken Franks 340.2g ($8 to $12.9, or 61.3%); Sensitive Multi-Protection Toothpaste 130g ($19 to $29.9, or 57.4%); Milky Treatment Shampoo 750ml ($39 to $59.9, or 53.6%); Beancurd For Steaming 390ml ($4.5 to $6.9, or 53.3%); Ham Slices 200g ($13 to $19.9, or 53.1%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 23 items in this category at 11 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, frozen food and grocery stores, and wholesale food outlets in the Wan Chai District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 6.1% to 100%.
- Overall, the survey found the major supermarket chains to be comparatively more expensive than frozen food chained store, wholesale food chained store and individual grocery store in the district.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentive. For example, 3 major supermarket chains offered Demae Ramen (Sesame Oil) 100g at $15.5-$15.9 for 5, averaging $3.1-$3.2 each, bringing the price down to the lowest level. On the other hand, 1 major supermarket chain offered Fiesta Tropical Fruit Mix 850g at $30 for 2, averaging $15 each; but the discounted price was still higher than the lowest unit price at grocery and frozen food outlets. So, bulk purchase discounts do not necessarily mean they are always of good buy, consumers are advised to shop around for price comparison and value.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 17 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 15.3% to 83.9%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains, and household goods store were higher while those at drugstores were lower.
- Some shops offered free gifts for designated goods. For example, a major supermarket chain offered gift of a towel for the purchase of Top Super Soft Laundry Powder 2.3kg.
- Some drugstores offered add-volume size. For sample, 2 drugstores offered 250g add-volume to Top Super Soft Laundry Powder 2.3kg. As one of the drugstores already offered the lowest price on the item, the add-volume promotion made the offer even better value.
- Some health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, some chains offered Herbal Candy Original Flavour 60g and 100 Gastrointestinal Pills at $29 for 2 and $63 for 2 respectively, averaging $14.5 and $31.5 each; but even after the discount their prices were still higher than those at most drugstores.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Wan Chai District Office.