The Consumer Council today (June 23) released its weekly price survey on a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and other retail outlets in Kowloon Bay / Ngau Tau Kok.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Coconut Milk 400ml (from $8.5 to $16.9, or a price difference of 98.8%).
Following closely (between 89.4% and 81.2%) were: Foaming Hand Wash (Moisturizing) 300ml ($16 to $30.3, or 89.4%); Shredded Pork And Preserved Vegetable 240g ($7.9 to $14.8, or 87.3%); Cough Mixture 177ml ($17 to $31.2, or 83.5%); Sensitive Whitening Fluoride Toothpaste 120g ($16.5 to $29.9 or 81.2%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 75.2% to 58.2%) were: Po Chai Pills 10's ($12.5 to $21.9, or 75.2%); Beauty Bar Soap 100g ($5.5 to $8.9, or 61.8%); Bath Soap 125g x 4's ($9 to $14.5, or 61.1%); Niu-Huang Jie-Du-Pian 50's ($18 to $28.5, or 58.3%); Sliced Pork in Szechuan Style 198g ($7.9 to $12.5, or 58.2%).
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 13 retail outlets in Kowloon Bay / Ngau Tau Kok were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 0% to 98.8%.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 17 retail outlets were surveyed, with price differences ranging from 12.5% to 89.4%.
- 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 Kwun Tong District Office.