The Consumer Council today (July 21) released its weekly price survey on a basket of 40 food and household items available at major supermarket chains and other retail outlets in Fanling.
In the analysis were listed the top 10 products with the most price differences found in this survey. Top on the list was: Triple Action Fluoride Toothpaste 200g (from $7.5 to $16.5, or a price difference of 120%).
Following closely (between 87.9% and 63.6%) were: Sunplay Skin Aqua UV Mild Milk (SPF 24 PA++) 80g ($42 to $78.9, or 87.9%); Rice Flour 600g ($6 to $11.1, or 85%); Liquid Electronic Mosquito Killer (Refill) 45ml ($23 to $39, or 73.5%); Fresh Cut Whole Kernel Corn 432g ($5.5 to $9 or 63.6%).
The remainders 5 of the top 10 list (ranging from 60% to 48.4%) were: Black Bean Garlic Sauce 226g ($10 to $16, or 60%); Hirudoid Forte Cream 14g ($34 to $53.5, or 57.4%); Ca-C 1000 Sandoz (Orange) 10pc ($28 to $43.8, or 56.4%); Pack Cheese Cracker 197g ($9.9 to $14.9, or 50.5%); Ultra Comfort Diapers for Newborn Baby 35's ($37 to $54.9, or 48.4%).
Other highlights in this weekly price survey covering (a) prepackaged food products, and (b) household and personal care products:
Prepackaged Food
- A total of 16 items in this category at 11 retail outlets in Fanling were compared for their prices.
- Considerable differences between the lowest and the highest unit prices were recorded, ranging from 5.3% to 85%.
Household/Personal Care Products
- A total of 24 items in this category at 13 retail outlets were surveyed, with price differences ranging from 10.1% to 120%.
- Overall, more highest unit prices were recorded at major supermarket and health-and-beauty chains than other retail outlets.
The weekly survey covers, for price comparison, a broad range of retail outlets of different types located in the district under comparison, including major and individual supermarkets, health-and-beauty chains, frozen food and grocery stores, and drugstores.
It is common that many outlets will offer bulk-purchase incentives, add-size packs, gifts, rebates, etc. for purchase of designated products or up to a certain value.
Consumers, however, should note that promotional offers are not necessarily the best bargains (the lowest unit price) available on the items. They should shop around whenever possible and compare prices.
Results of the weekly price survey and analysis are available on the Council's website, its Consumer Advice Centres, and the Public Enquiry Service Centre of North District Office.