The Consumer Council today (August 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 the Tai 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: 100% Pure Petroleum Jelly 49g (from $8.9 to $19.9, or a price difference of 123.6%).
Following closely (between 71.1% and 47.5%) were: Sensitive Whitening Toothpaste 120g ($19 to $32.5, or 71.1%); Sweetened Condensed Milk 370g ($7 to $11.8, or 68.6%); Ultra Fabric Softener - Pure 1L ($15 to $24.9, or 66%); Coconut Milk 165ml ($4 to $5.9, or 47.5%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 46.9% to 44.4%) were: Pre-wash Stain Remover 300g ($16 to $23.5 or 46.9%); Super Rich Ideal Orient Shampoo 700ml ($34 to $49.9, or 46.8%); Sliced Pineapple in Syrup 836g ($9.5 to $13.9, or 46.3%); Tomato Paste 170g ($5.5 to $8, or 45.5%); Pork and Ham 198g ($9 to $13, or 44.4%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 20 items in this category at 18 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, individual supermarket, frozen food and grocery stores, wholesale food outlet, health-and-beauty chains, and drugstores in the Tai Wai District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 9% to 68.6%.
- Individual major chain offered free gift for designated goods. For instance, the purchaser of a Kiu Kiang Shuang Jin Chiew 500ml would receive a same liquor of 75ml. This worked out $2.1 per 100ml of the liquor, which compared favourably with the lowest unit price of $11 or $2.2 per 100ml by a grocery store.
- Some outlets used offers of add-volume size to entice customers. For example, in the case of the 3-in-1 Gold Milk Tea 18.5gx20, it was sold at the average price of $1.6-$1.7 per sachel by drugstores without add-volume size pack. This compared with only $1.3-$1.5 per sachel by some outlets offering add-volume size of 4 sachels extra.
- Major supermarket chains often offered bulk purchase incentive. For example, 1 chain offered Chopped Pork and Ham 198g at $28.5 for 3, averaging $9.5 each, while another chain offered Energy Orange 1L at $30.9 for 2, averaging $15.5 each. The discounted price for both items was lower than its unit price but still higher than the lowest price by some other outlets.
- Further, 1 major supermarket chain offered Sweetened Condensed Milk 370g at $13 for 2, averaging $6.5 each, thus cheaper than individual drugstores. Price comparison is therefore important in order to take advantage of bulk purchase price incentives.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 20 items in this category at 15 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 7.8% to 123.6%.
- Most shops of different types in this district offered free gifts for designated goods of daily necessities, including free paper tissues, bath lotions, towels, hair conditioners, slippers and mouse pads, etc.
- Some major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains and drugstore offered add-volume size packs. For instance, some offered Specially Formulated for Gold 50+Years (High Calcium Low Fat Milk Powder) 850g with add-volume 100g. Thus, the average price per 100g was $6.8 (drugstores) and $8.5 (major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains). This compared favourably with $7.5-$7.6 (drugstores) and $9.5 (major supermarket chain) that did not offer add-volume size.
- Some major supermarket chains offered bulk purchase incentive. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Fabric Softener-Pure 1L at $38.9 for 2, averaging $19.5 each, but even after the price discount were still more expensive than the drugstores.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Sha Tin District Office.