The Consumer Council today (September 30) 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 District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Fabric Softener Economic Pack (Floral) 2L (from $11.5 to $23.5, or a price difference of 104.3%).
Following closely (between 97.8% and 62.5%) were: American Ginseng with Honey Drink 500ml ($4.5 to $8.9, or 97.8%); Top Speed Haircolor Number 5 (Deep Mahogany Brown) ($38 to $68, or 78.9%); Cooling Gel Sheet For Children 6pcs ($20 to $35, or 75%); Coconut Milk 165ml ($4 to $6.5 or 62.5%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 55% to 53.1%) were: Power Flush Lime 30ml ($10.9 to $16.9, or 55%); Sweetened Milk Spread 388g ($5.5 to $8.5, or 54.5%); Fetherlite Ultra Fine Condoms 12's ($39 to $59.9, or 53.6%); Pearl's Cough Syrup 120ml ($28 to $42.9, or 53.2%); Fried Dace with Salted Black Beans 227g ($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 17 items in this category at 15 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, frozen meat outlets, health-and-beauty chains, grocery and snacks store, in the Aberdeen District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 12.5% to 97.8%.
- Prices of food items in frozen food and grocery stores were generally lower. The highest prices of 9 food items out of 17 were recorded at major supermarket chains. Consumers should compare prices as well as promotional offers in their shopping.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered BBQ Flavoured Potato Chips 60g at $13.9 for 2, averaging $7 each and thus cheapest. 3 major supermarket chains offered American Ginseng with Honey Drink 500ml for $4.8 to $5 per bottle on purchase of 2 bottles, but they were still more expensive than some individual supermarkets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 23 items in this category at 16 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 6.7% to 104.3%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher - 18 out of 23 items were recorded the highest prices at these outlets in this survey - than those at drugstores.
- Some shops offered free gifts for designated goods, including 2AA batteries for the purchase of Top Compact Laundry Detergent (Environmental Friendly Refill Pack) 2.25kg, 1 kitchen cleanser for the purchase of Anti-Dust Formula Furniture Polish (Lemon) 330ml, etc.
- Add size packs were offered by some drugstores. For example, 1 drugstore offered 50% more volume for One-Minute Hair Treatment 150ml, coming up with an average of $1 for 17ml, cheaper than another drugstore's $1 for 15ml.
- Some major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase discounts. For example, All Shiny White Toothpaste with Lime Mint 160g was offered at $29.9 for 2, averaging $15 each, but was still more expensive than the lowest unit price at some 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 Southern District Office.