The Consumer Council today (August 19) releaed its weekly price survey on a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and other retail outlets in the Choi Hung / Choi Wan District.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Beauty Bar 100g (from $5.5 to $11.9, or a price difference of 116.4%).
Following closely (between 98.9% and 46.7%) were: Lasting Care Hand Balsam 80g ($9.5 to $18.9, or 98.9%); Top Speed Haircolor (Deep Mahogany Brown) ($40 to $68, or 70%); Cooling Gel Sheet 6's ($18 to $29.9, or 66.1%); Hi-Calcium Slim Milk 236ml ($4.5 to $6.6, or 46.7%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 45.8% to 43.1%) were: Double Action Toothpaste 250g ($12 to $17.5 or 45.8%); Trilex Herbal Tea 16 Teabags ($33.5 to $48.8, or 45.7%); Straw Mushrooms (Whole Unpeeled) 425g ($5.5 to $8, or 45.5%); Mopidick Lotion 50ml ($21 to $30.2, or 43.8%); Double Effect Roll-on Deodorant 50ml ($19.5 to $27.9, or 43.1%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 22 items in this category at 14 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery stores, drugstores and snack shops in the Choi Hung / Choi Wan District, were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 12.5% to 46.7%.
- Overall, the survey found individual grocery stores in the district to be cheaper than other types of outlets.
- Some major supermarket chains offered 5% price discount for the purchase of sauce of a value up to $30.
- Individual frozen food outlets offered free gift for designated goods. For instance, 1 outlet offered 1 sweet soy sauce 207ml for the purchase of Premium Oyster Sauce Old Packing 510g. Compared with major supermarket chains, this gift offer made the purchase of the item a better value.
- Individual grocery stores offered add-volume size. For example, 4 grocery stores offered 37g add-volume to Chicken Powder 273g, bringing an average 100g to cost between $6.5 and $6.8. This compared favourably with the lowest unit price of $19 (or an average 100g of $7) on this item at another grocery store.
- Some shops offered bulk purchase incentive. For example, 3 major supermarket chains and 1 grocery store offered Macaroni Beef Broth 90g at $11 for 3, averaging $3.7 each. The discounted price though lower than the unit price at these outlets was still higher than those at individual grocery stores. Another grocery store offered $10 for 3; as the price on this item at this store was already lower than others the bulk purchase offer made it even more attractive in value. So, bulk purchase discounts do not necessarily mean they are always of good buy, consumers are advised to shop around for price comparison and value.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 18 items in this category at 14 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 12.2% to 116.4%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains, health-and-beauty chains were higher while those at drugstores were lower.
- Individual health-and-beauty chains offered a free Laundry Sanitiser for the purchase of personal care goods of a value up to $99.
- Some major supermarket chains offered free gifts for designated goods. For example, 1 chain offered Skin Care Bath Lotion 200ml for the purchase of Bodywash Fairness + Deep Moisturizing 720ml. Another chain offered Laundry Detergent Liquid 180ml for the purchase of Handwash Liquid Laundry Detergent 1L.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Wong Tai Sin District Office.