The Consumer Council today (December 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 Wong Tai Sin / Tsz Wan Shan District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Ultra Concentrated Softener 1L (from $18 to $30.9, or a price difference of 71.7%).
Following closely (between 68.6% and 60%) were: Forte Cream 14g ($35 to $59, or 68.6%); Throat Lozenge 40g ($10 to $16.8, or 68%); Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml ($8 to $12.9, or 61.3%); Bear (Green Can) 330ml ($2.5 to $4 or 60%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 52.4% to 45.6%) were: Peanut Butter - Superchunk 510g ($17 to $25.9, or 52.4%); Shredded Pork and Preserved Vegetables 240g ($7.9 to $12, or 51.9%); Sweetened Condensed Milk 370g ($7.9 to $11.8, or 49.4%); Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 567g ($8 to $11.9, or 48.8%); Health Star Herbal Tea for Children 20's ($48 to $69.9, or 45.6%).
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 14 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food outlets, and grocery stores, in the Wong Tai Sin / Tsz Wan Shan District were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 2.6% to 60%.
- The survey found the frozen food and grocery stores in the district had a wide range of food products on sale and some were cheaper than in the other types of outlets.
- Many outlets particularly the major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Clear Chicken Broth 1L at $35.8 for 3, averaging $11.9 each, the discount price though lower than the unit price was still higher than the unit price of another major supermarket chain. A supermarket also offered bulk purchase incentive but its discount price was actually the same as its unit price, offering no benefit to consumer. A frozen meat store offered the same item at $22.8 for 2, averaging $11.4 each, the discount price was the lowest available recorded in the survey.
- 1 major supermarket chain offered Sweetened Condensed Milk 370g at $23.9 for 3, averaging $8 each, the discount price though lower than its unit price was still higher than the unit price at 2 supermarkets and 1 frozen food store.
- 1 major supermarket chain offered Quick Serve Macaroni Chicken Broth 90g at $11.9 for 4, averaging $3 each, the discount price was the lowest available on this item in the survey.
- Different types of retail outlets also offered "add-size pack" to attract their customers. For example, 2 major supermarket chains, 3 grocery and 1 frozen food stores offered 20% add-size in purchase of Superior Light Soy Sauce 500ml. As the unit price of this item at the frozen food store was already the lowest available, the add-size pack incentive made it even more better value.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 12% to 71.7%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores.
- A health-and-beauty chain offered gifts of $20 cash coupon for purchase of personal care products up to the value of $100, and 5 packs of instant noodles for any purchase of up to $99.
- Other shops also offered gifts for purchase of personal care products. For example, gifts of mouthwash mug and bath lotion for purchase of Teeth & Gum Defence Antiseptic Mouthwash 1L.
- Milk bath products for purchase of Intensive Care Hand & Nail Moisturizing Lotion 15oz.
- Trial samples for purchase of Fetherlite Ultima Condom 10's.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentive but even after the discount the unit price was still higher than the lowest unit price available on the same items in the survey.
- For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Super Concentrate Multi-Purpose Cleaner 1000ml at $39.9 for 2, averaging $20 each, but the lowest unit price recorded in the survey was $18 as sold at a drugstore.
- 3 major supermarket chains offered Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml at $22 for 2, averaging $11 each, but the same item was sold for $8 at 3 drugstores.
- From the above, consumers are advised to shop around and compare prices even for bulk purchase discount offers.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Wong Tai Sin District Office.