The Consumer Council today (June 24) 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 Kwai Fong District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Powerful Cream Cleanser 500ml (from $6.5 to $12.9, or a price difference of 98.5%).
Following closely (between 73.5% and 58.2%) were: Coconut Milk 165ml ($4.9 to $8.5, or 73.5%); Moist Cleansing Paper Hankies 25's ($10 to $16.9, or 69%); White Oats (Foil) 800g ($18 to $28.9, or 60.6%); Sensitive Fresh Toothpaste 120g ($17 to $26.9, or 58.2%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 56.7% to 50.2%) were: Pre-wash Stain Remover 300ml ($15 to $23.5 or 56.7%); Lemon Tea 250ml x 6 ($13.5 to $21, or 55.6%); Baby Milk Bath 1L ($25 to $37.9, or 51.6%); Pork Luncheon Meat 200g ($10.5 to $15.9, or 51.4%); Furniture Polish (Lemon) 330ml ($26.5 to $39.8, or 50.2%).
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 17 items in this category at 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains, frozen food outlets, grocery and drug stores in the Kwai Fong District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 5.7% to 73.5%.
- Overall, major supermarket chains recorded more higher unit prices than the other outlets. Some supermarket chains offered price discount for bulk purchase. For example, 3 major supermarket chains offered White Oats (Foil) 800g at $39.8 for 2, averaging $19.9 each, and 1 major chain offered Coconut Milk 165ml for "buy 2 gets 1 free" at an average price of $5.7 each, but even after the discount, in both cases, they were still more expensive than the other outlets.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 20 items in this category at 14 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 11.8% to 98.5%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores. Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase inventives, for example, the major supermarket chains offered Powerful Cream Cleanser 750ml at $19.9 for 2, averaging $10 each, but even after the discount their prices were still higher than the lowest price ($6.5) by drugstores by more than a half (53.8%).
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 3 items from 2 to 3 stalls at the Wing Fong Street Market and 4 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 Kwai Tsing District Office.