Consumer Council conducted its specific price survey on canned foods on 11th January, surveying 11 canned food brand samples from 21 retail outlets for their retail prices. In comparison with last survey's record, prices of most surveyed samples recorded no change in price. The Council indicated that a common price increase was found in canned foods imported from mainland China since Q3 of last year (2011), prices then became stable at the end of year. In the current January survey, several samples were sold as on sale items, recording a price drop of around 10 to 20 percent. Moreover, obvious price drop of up to 40 percent was recorded for 'Gu Long Spiced Pork Cubes (142g)'. 'Greatwall Brand Chopped Pork & Ham (340g)', which recorded price increase in several retail outlets last time, continued to show price rise in more outlets and selling price had increased by 5 to 20 per cent. Consumer Council indicated that as price discrepancies and percentage change in price varied quite significantly in different retail outlets, improvements on disseminating supermarket price information would be made. The "Supermarket Price Information Platform" iPhone app launched in December received very good response from the public, the said app had been downloaded over 16,000 times in about a month's time, with over 600,000 browsing records. The Council is planning to include its specific price surveys on canned foods, rice, etc. to its iPhone app. Meanwhile, assessment result of over 1,000 'Certified Shops' and Consumer Report will also be added at a later stage. The Council also plans to release other versions of the smart phone application for consumers using other smart phone operating systems, such as the Android. Due to its manpower restriction, Consumer Council is now conducting three to four specific price surveys and one 'Supermarket price survey' monthly. The supermarket survey will be conducted more often if manpower problem can be solved. The latest specific price survey on canned foods is now available on the Council's website (www.consumer.gov.mo). For inquiry, please call 8988 9315.
