The Consumer Council today (December 16) 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 Mei Foo District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Ice Tea (Lemon Flavor) 490ml (from $3 to $6.8, or a price difference of 126.7%).
Following closely (between 81.7% and 68.3%) were: Fiesta Tropical Fruit Mix 850g ($9.3 to $16.9, or 81.7%); Shrimp Shaomai 10pcs ($8.9 to $15.9, or 78.7%); Fresh Cut Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 234g ($4.8 to $8.5, or 77.1%); Foaming Hand Wash (Moisturizing) 300ml ($18 to $30.3 or 68.3%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 54.8% to 40.8%) were: Fruit Salt (Lemon Flavoured) 100g ($29 to $44.9, or 54.8%); Hi-Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage 236ml ($5 to $7.6, or 52%); Saltine (Original) 5pcs 100g ($3.3 to $4.8, or 45.5%); Natural Oat Cracker 380g ($11 to $15.9, or 44.5%); Moist Cleansing Paper Hankies 25's ($12 to $16.9, or 40.8%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 20 items in this category at 10 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chain, frozen food and grocery stores, in the Mei Foo District were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 1.9% to 126.7%.
- Overall prices at major supermarket chains were higher than those at frozen food and grocery stores.
- Many outlets offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Fresh Cut Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 234g at $14.9 for 2, averaging $7.5 each. The discount price, though lower than the unit price, was still higher than those at other outlets ($4.8 - $6). In fact it was higher by 56.3% compared with the lowest unit price available ($4.8) at a grocery store.
- Individual major supermarket chain and grocery store offered add-size pack of 20pcs extra for Yellow Label Finest Tea Blend 100pcs 200g. This made it even more attractive in the case of the grocery store already offering the lowest unit price available on this item.
- 3 major supermarket chains, 1 frozen food and 1 grocery store offered Hi-Calcium Low Fat Milk Beverage 236ml at $9.5 for 2, $15 for 3, and $9 for 2 averaging $4.8, $5 and $4.5 each respectively. The discount prices of the former 2 were still higher than the lowest unit price available at the grocery store on this item, but the discount price at the grocery store was even lower offering good bulk purchase benefit to consumers.
- 3 major supermarket chains offered Gold Label Lightsoy Sauce 500ml at $21.9 for 2, averaging $11 each; the discount price was still higher than the lowest unit price available ($9.9) on this item.
- 4 major supermarket chains offered Shrimp Shaomai 10pcs at $22.5, $24 and $26.9 for 3, averaging $7.5, $8 and $9 each respectively. But only 2 of the discount prices were lower than the lowest unit price at a frozen food store on this item.
- 3 major supermarket chains and 1 grocery store offered Water Pure Distilled Water 430ml at $5.9 for 2 and $9 for 3 as well as $1 addition for 1 more of the same item. The average discount price was in all cases $3 each.
- From the above it is clear not all bulk purchase incentives offer benefits, consumers should therefore shop around and compare prices.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 20 items in this category at 13 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 5.9% to 68.3%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores.
- Health-and-beauty chains offered many gifts and price discounts for purchase of designated goods and up to a certain value, for example:
- For purchase of a brand of dental care products of up to $30 and $50, a towel and rebate of $10 respectively.
- For purchase of another brand of dental care products of up to $50, 1 mini-tool kit.
- For purchase of a brand of shampoo products of up to $60, 1 hankie.
- For purchase of a brand of sanitary products of up to $35, 1 magazine rack.
- Some major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase incentives, for example:
- 1 major supermarket chain offered White 41cm Night Pads 8's at $47.8 for 2, averaging $23.9 each. The unit price recorded at a drugstore was $21.
- 2 major supermarket and 1 health-and-beauty chains offered Moist Cleansing Paper Hankies 25's at $29.8 for 2, averaging $14.9. The unit price recorded at a drugstore was $12.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Sham Shui Po District Office.