The Consumer Council today (November 4) 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: Tomato Paste 6oz (from $6 to $10.9, or a price difference of 81.7%).
Following closely (between 78.8% and 57.9%) were: Fruit Salt (Lemon Flavoured) 100g ($24 to $42.9, or 78.8%); Velvet Jouch Indulgent Beauty Bar 90gx4 ($8 to $13.9, or 73.8%); Premium Kidney Beans 432g ($10 to $16.9, or 69%); Premium Pork Luncheon Meat 397g ($9.5 to $15 or 57.9%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 56.4% to 46.7%) were: Baby Messy Times Wipes 80's ($14 to $21.9, or 56.4%); Cup Noodles Spicy Seafood Flavour Instant Noodle 75g ($4.9 to $7.6, or 55.1%); Cheese Cracker 197g ($9.9 to $14.9, or 50.5%); First Extract Light Soy Sauce 500ml ($14.9 to $21.9, or 47%); Anti Bacteria Fabric Softener 2L ($15 to $22, or 46.7%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 20 items in this category at 15 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarkets, frozen food and grocery stores, and retail wholesale shops, in the Tuen Mun District were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 2.6% to 81.7%.
- The frozen food stores surveyed in the district were found to offer quite a comprehensive range of foodstuffs with prices of selected products at relatively low levels, providing more choices to the residents in their purchase.
- Many different types of retail outlets in particular the major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Dense Soup Treasure (Chicken Flavour) 32gx2 at $18.9 for 2, averaging $9.5 each; the discount price was lower than its unit price but still higher than that of another supermarket chain.
- 1 major chain offered Corn Oil 946ml at $79.9 for 3, averaging $26.6 each, as well as a free gift of vermicelli for the bulk purchase. As the original unit price of the item at this supermarket was already the lowest recorded in the survey, the bulk purchase offer therefore offered even greater value for money.
- Some retail outlets offered add-size pack, for example, 1 individual supermarket offered 65% add-size to Char Siu Sauce 240g. Although the price of the add-size offer was higher compared with prices at other retail outlets, it was the lowest in terms of per unit weight.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 20 items in this category at 17 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 14.4% to 78.8%.
- 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 incentive but the discount price, albeit lower than the unit price, was still higher than those at drugstores where the lowest unit prices were recorded for the same items.
- 1 major supermarket chain, for example, offered Anti-Bacteria Fabric Softener 2L at $38 for 2, averaging $19 each.
- 1 major chain offered Bleach (Lemon Fresh) 1500ml at $25.9 for 2, averaging $13 each.
- 1 major chain offered Lemon Fresh Liquid Toilet Cleaner 750ml at $22.9 for 2, averaging $11.5 each.
- Some major supermarket chain and health-and-beauty chains also offered free gifts for the purchase of designated goods while different types of retail outlets offered add-size pack making their prices more attractive.
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.