Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 16th March. In comparison with last month's record, prices of oil and food products remained stable or recorded slight decrease. Survey result revealed that price differences of up to 38% existed for the same product being sold in different supermarket chain stores located in different areas of Macao. A total of 305 items were surveyed in the Council's latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' in which average prices of 125 items from 12 categories had been raised lightly but most of them recorded an increase of less than 10%, only two items, 'Anlene High Calcium Reduced Fat Processed Cheese (250g)' and 'Chesdale Processed Cheese – Trim (250g)', had an increase of more than 10%. For the 109 items which recorded price decrease, the average price drop recorded was minimal, only 'Swanson Concentrated Chicken Stock (300g)' recorded an obvious price drop of 10.59% due to special promotion at two retail spots. Prices of the rest of 71 items, mainly including cooking oil, rice and cereal products, snacks and oral care products, remained stable or recorded slight decrease. The Council indicated that among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of the same product are found to vary for up to 38% in different branches located in different areas in Macao. 'Mr. Juicy Orange (2L)', which was on sale in one chain store in Taipa, was sold at a price 50% lower than that in another store under the same chain in Macao. Consumers are advised to check with the data provided by the Council, especially the 'Top Ten Price Differences' function on its website, and to download the new 'Supermarket price platform' iPhone app for easy reference. The latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo) and the 'Supermarket Price Information Platform' iPhone app. The survey is also available free of charge at the offices of Consumer Council, IACM's Iao Hon and S. Domingos Markets, bookstores and libraries. Consumers may also access the resources through WAP channels on their mobile phones. For inquiries, please call 8988 9315.
