The Consumer Council today (March 25) 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 Tin Shui Wai District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Ketchup 340g (from $5 to $9.5, or a price difference of 90%).
Following closely (between 79% and 46.8%) were: Lasting Care Hand Balsam 80ml ($10 to $17.9, or 79%); Blended Sesame Oil 150ml ($9.9 to $16, or 61.6%); Chocolate Milk 125mlx4 ($6.7 to $10, or 49.3%); Pure Corn Oil 1L ($34 to $49.9, or 46.8%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 46.7% to 35%) were: Fresh Milk 236ml ($4.5 to $6.6 or 46.7%); Powerful Cream Cleaner - Lemon Fresh 500ml ($9 to $12.9, or 43.3%); Glowing Radiance Shampoo 700ml ($36 to $49.9, or 38.6%); Premium Pork Luncheon Meat 397g ($10.9 to $14.9, or 36.7%); Tuna in Sunflower Oil 185g ($10 to $13.5, or 35%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, (b) household and personal care products, and (c) fresh produce, include:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 22 items in this category at 10 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food outlets and grocery stores in the Tin Shui Wai District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 1.5% to 90%.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase price incentive. For example, 3 of the chains offered Fresh Milk 236ml at $10.8 for 2, averaging $5.4 each, but even after the discount the unit price was still higher than those of grocery stores.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 14 items in this category at 13 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 6.5% to 79%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains and household product store were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major chains offered price incentive for bulk purchase. For example, 2 major supermarket chains and 2 health-and-beauty chains offered Baby Shampoo (No More Tears) Formula 800ml at $84.8 for 2, averaging $42.4 each, but even after the discount they were still more expensive than the drugstores.
Fresh Produce
- Due to possible variations in the place of origin, quality, size or freshness of fresh produce, direct price comparison is considered not suitable.
- A total of 4 items from 2 to 3 stalls at the Tin Chak (Allmart) Chinese Market and 3 supermarket chains were included in the survey for reference of consumers.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Yuen Long District Office.