The Consumer Council today (October 21) 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 Sai Wan Ho District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Styling Cream - Anti Dandruff 250ml (from $16 to $36.9, or a price difference of 130.6%).
Following closely (between 100% and 73.9%) were: Pineapple Flavour Beer 355ml ($2 to $4, or 100%); Fiesta Tropical Fruit Mix 850g ($8.5 to $16.9, or 98.8%); Pork Luncheon Meat 198g ($7.5 to $14.5, or 93.3%); Premium Soy Sauce 500ml ($6.9 to $12 or 73.9%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 66.7% to 46.8%) were: Ice Tea (Lemon Flavor) 490ml ($3 to $5, or 66.7%); Sesame Soda Cracker 7's (130g) ($4 to $6.4, or 60%); Hi-Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage 236ml ($3.9 to $6.1, or 56.4%); New Ammeliz (Smell Less) 46ml ($22 to $33.9, or 54.1%); Grade-A Light Soy Sauce 590ml ($10.9 to $16, or 46.8%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 19 items in this category at 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, frozen meat and grocery stores, health-and-beauty chains and retail wholesale outlets, in the Sai Wan Ho District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 14.3% to 100%.
- Overall, prices of food items in individual supermarkets and grocery store were relatively lower.
- Some outlets particularly the major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 1 major supermarket chain offered Fiesta Tropical Fruit Mix 850g at $29 for 2, averaging $14.5 each, but the discount price, though lower than its own unit price, was still higher than those at other types of outlets and, in fact, 70.6% higher than the lowest unit price of $8.5 at a grocery store.
- 1 major supermarket chain offered Pork Luncheon Meat 198g at $16.9 for 2, averaging $8.5 each, but the discount price was still higher than the lowest unit price at individual grocery store.
- 2 major chains offered Sardines in Tomato Sauce 425g at $37.8 for 2, averaging $18.9 each to become the lowest unit price for this item in the survey.
- 1 health-and-beauty chain, 1 individual supermarket and 2 major supermarket chains offered Sesame Soda Cracker 7's (130g) at $9.9 or $10 for 3, averaging $3.3 each. The discount price in bulk purchase offered by the individual supermarket was even lower than its unit price which already was the lowest recorded. In this case, consumers stand to benefit whether buying by the unit or in bulk.
- As bulk purchase incentives do not necessarily offer the best price available, consumers are advised to shop around and make comparisons.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 12 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 12% to 130.6%.
- Overall, prices recorded at major supermarket chains and heath-and-beauty chains were higher than those at drugstores in the district.
- The survey showed health-and-beauty chains offered for a number of designated goods free gifts that included: toothpaste, necklace, skin care lotion, facial puffs and mini-calendar, etc.
- Some major supermarket and heath-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase incentives but the discount prices, though lower than their own unit prices, were still higher than the lowest unit prices recorded at drugstore.
- For example, 1 major supermarket and 1 health-and-beauty chains offered Baby Honey Bath 800ml at $57.8 for 2, averaging $28.9 each.
- 3 major supermarket chains offered Foaming Hand Wash (Moisturizing) 300ml at $31.8 or $31.9 for 2, averaging $15.9 or $16 each.
- 1 health-and-beauty and 1 major supermarket chains offered Herbal Candy-Tangerine-Lemon 60g at $27 and $29 for 2, averaging $13.5 and $14.5 each respectively.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Eastern District Office.