The Consumer Council today (May 5) released its weekly price survey on a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and other retail outlets in Ma On Shan.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Baby Powder 500g (from $15 to $32.9, or a price difference of 119.3%).
Following closely (between 85% and 58.2%) were: Rice Flour 600g ($6 to $11.1, or 85%); Deep Clean Foaming Cleanser 100g ($30 to $48.9, or 63%); Pork and Ham 198g ($8 to $13, or 62.5%); Chopped Pork and Ham 198g ($7.9 to $12.5 or 58.2%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 56.3% to 43.3%) were: Salonpas 10 patches ($8 to $12.5, or 56.3%); Sensitive Toothpaste (Whitening) 120g ($16.4 to $25, or 52.4%); Beauty Bar Soap 100g ($6 to $8.9, or 48.3%); Antiphogistic and Analgesic Liquid 46ml ($23 to $33.9, or 47.4%); Chicken Franks 340.2g ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%).
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 19 retail outlets in Ma On Shan were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 9.4% to 85%.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 16 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 6.7% to 119.3%.
- Overall, more highest unit prices were recorded at major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains than other retail outlets.
The weekly survey covers, for price comparison, a broad range of retail outlets of different types located in the district under comparison, including major and individual supermarkets, health-and-beauty chains, frozen food and grocery stores, and drugstores.
It is common that many outlets will offer bulk-purchase incentives, add-size packs, gifts, rebates, etc. for purchase of designated products or up to a certain value.
Consumers, however, should note that promotional offers are not necessarily the best bargains (the lowest unit price) available on the items. They should shop around whenever possible and compare prices.
Results of the weekly price survey and analysis are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Sha Tin District Office.