Starting from today (July 8), this weekly price survey will expand its coverage of the different types of retail outlets by including, initially, gas stations where daily provisions are also available on sale.
Concurrently, the survey will cease to include wet markets which are already being covered in a daily price survey on fresh produce at such outlets.
The basket of goods surveyed will, however, be maintained at 40 items by the addition of new categories such as commonly available over-the-counter medicinal products, and herbal teabags.
The weekly price survey released by the Consumer Council today covered a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and various retail outlets in the Tai Po District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Whitening Toothpaste 4.3oz (from $12.5 to $25.9, or a price difference of 107.2%).
Following closely (between 80.9% and 66.7%) were: Balm (Red) 19.4g ($11 to $19.9, or 80.9%); Oyster Sauce 510g ($9.9 to $17.9, or 80.8%); Medicated Oil 57ml ($16.5 to $29.4, or 78.2%); Squeezable Tomato Ketchup 680g ($10.5 to $17.5, or 66.7%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 62.8% to 55.7%) were: Coffee (Rich) 250ml ($4.3 to $7 or 62.8%); Antiphogistic and Analgesic Liquid 46ml ($21 to $33.9, or 61.4%); Chicken Franks 340.2g ($8 to $12.9, or 61.3%); Tuna Snackit Japanese Style 85g+15g ($7.9 to $12.5, or 58.2%); Dishwash Detergent 500ml ($11.5 to $17.9, or 55.7%).
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 12 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery stores, gas station convenience stores in the Tai Po District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 2.8% to 80.8%.
- The survey showed individual retail outlets offered free gifts for promotion of designated goods. For instance, 1 frozen food store and 2 gas station convenience stores offered 1 pack of vermicelli free with Premium Thai Fragrant Rice Vacuum Treated 8kg. On the other hand, 3 major supermarket chains which recorded the highest price of this product, offered no free gift. Consumers are urged to pay heed and take advantage of such promotion.
Some shops offered bulk purchase incentive. For example, 3 major supermarket chains offered Mifun Pickled Vegetable 70g at $7.2 for 3, averaging $2.4 each, but the discounted price though cheaper than some, was still higher than that at a frozen food outlet.
1 grocery store offered Coffee (Rich) 250ml at $7.9 for 2, averaging $4 each, bringing what already was the lowest price to an even lower level. Varying price discounts were observed on the same product at different outlets. For example, in the case of Hargow 8pcs, 1 major supermarket offered $19.9 for 2; a second one offered $27.5 for 2; and 1 frozen food store offered $34.9 for 4. Consumers should therefore compare prices of bulk purchase discounts to get the best deal.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 11 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 14.7% to 107.2%.
- An analysis of the promotional offers showed that a health-and-beauty chain offered 1 pack of sterilized wet wipe on purchase of personal care items of $99. Some major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chain offered free gifts for purchase of designated goods. For instance, 2 offered Hair Conditioner 200ml for purchase of Super Rich Glowing Radiance Shampoo 700ml. 1 health-and-beauty chain offered a beach ball for SPF 50 Waterbabies Lotion 118ml; and 1 Medicated Oil 3ml for Medicated Oil 57ml.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Tai Po District Office.