The Consumer Council today (November 18) 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 Sheung 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: Mineralized Water 770ml (from $2.5 to $4.9, or a price difference of 96%).
Following closely (between 84.2% and 74.4%) were: Cooling Gel Sheet (Child) 6's ($19 to $35, or 84.2%); Styling Cream (Original) 250ml ($18 to $32.9, or 82.8%); Salonpas 10 patches ($7 to $12.5, or 78.6%); Coffee (Rich) 250ml ($3.9 to $6.8 or 74.4%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 70% to 57.9%) were: Beauty Bar 100g ($5 to $8.5, or 70%); Tooth and Gum Care Toothpaste 100ml ($10.9 to $18, or 65.1%); Sweet Soy Sauce 207ml ($8 to $13, or 62.5%); Lasting Care Hand Balsam 80ml ($10 to $15.9, or 59%); Furniture Polish (Lemon) 330ml ($29 to $45.8, or 57.9%).
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 16 retail outlets, covering major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery stores, health-and-beauty chains, emporium and household goods stores, in the Sheung Wan District were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 14.7% to 96%.
- Overall, individual major supermarket chains were found to have more goods recorded with highest selling prices, and so were some items at grocery stores.
- Some major supermarket chains offered 5% price discount for purchase of more than 3 Sardines in Tomato Sauce 215g. The discount price per unit was $13.2 but still higher than those at individual major supermarket chains, frozen food and grocery stores.
- Some major supermarket chains and frozen food stores offered bulk purchase incentives. For example, 2 major supermarket chains offered Fresh Cut Whole Kernel Corn 380g at $12.5 for 2, averaging $6.3 each; the discount price was lower than its unit price but still higher than those at other types of outlets.
- 4 major supermarket chains offered Live Lactobacillus Drink 100mlx5 at $17.5 and $17.6 for 2, averaging $8.8 each. 2 frozen food stores offered the same item at $16.5 and $17.9 for 2, averaging $8.3 and $9 each. Both offers were still higher than the lowest unit price recorded at individual grocery stores.
- 3 major supermarket chains offered Seafood Soy Sauce 500ml at $18.9 for 2, averaging $9.5 each, which was the same as the lowest unit price available at individual frozen food stores.
- The above showed that consumers still need to shop around and compare prices of bulk purchase incentive offers to get the best buy.
- 1 major supermarket chain and 1 frozen food store offered Animal Biscuits (Seaweed Flavour) 37g at $10 for 3, and $8.9 for 2, averaging $3.3 and $4.5 each respectively. After discount, the unit price of the former became the lowest available on this item while the latter the unit price was equal to its original unit price.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 21 items in this category at 19 retail outlets was surveyed, with price differences ranging from 14% to 84.2%.
- Overall, prices at major supermarket chains and health-and-beauty chains were generally higher than those at drugstores.
- Some health-and-beauty chains offered free gifts or price discounts for bulk purchase of designated goods or up to a certain value.
- Some major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains offered bulk purchase incentive; although the discount prices were lower than the unit prices, they were still higher than those at frozen food and drugstore outlets.
- For example, health-and-beauty chain offered Seirogan 100 pills at $63 for 2, averaging $31.5 each; the discount price though lower than its unit price, was still higher than the unit price at drugstore outlets which offered between $25 and $26 each.
- 2 major supermarket chains offered Lemon Liquid Detergent 2L at $29.9 for 2, averaging $15 each, but still higher than the unit price of $13-$14.9 at frozen food and some drugstores.
- 2 major supermarket chains offered Bleach 1.5L at $25.8 for 2, averaging $12.9 each, compared with the unit price of $12-$12.5 at some drugstores.
- 2 major supermarket chains offered Pre-wash Stain Remover 300g at $37.5 and $37.9 respectively, averaging $18.8 and $19 each. The unit price at drugstores was between $17 and $18.
Results of the weekly price survey are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of Central & Western District Office.