As Lunar New Year approaches, a specific price survey on 7 festive foods from 24 retail outlets was conducted earlier by the Consumer Council. The current survey report dated 26th January shows that significant price difference is observed for the same product selling in different retail outlets. Consumers are advised to check the report prior to making purchase. In comparison with last year’s data, prices of ‘Kraft Ritz Sandwich Cracker (432g)’ have decreased by around 10%, prices of ‘Planters Premium Selection (622g)’ have also dropped by around 5%, though the latter recorded a price increase of over 12% at Park'N Shop in Taipa. Other surveyed samples such as ‘Ferrero Rocher(300g)’, ‘Brown & Haley Almond Roca (340g)’, ‘Sugus Assorted Fruited Flavour Chews (350g)’, ‘Kjeldsens Butter Cookies (681g)’ and ‘Royal Dansk Danish Butter Cookies (681g)’ all recorded both increase and decrease in prices. Last year, the average price difference recorded for the same product selling in different outlets was about 20%, this year, however, the figure has increased to around 25%-30%. Extra discount is offered to consumers buying in bulk in certain outlets; however, consumers are advised to make purchase according to personal needs to avoid buying too much stock of festive foods. The said price survey on festive foods is now available online at the Council’s website (www.consumer.gov.mo). As peak shopping season nears, Economic Services department (DSE), Macau Government Tourist Office (DST), Transport Bureau (DSAT), Judiciary Police (PJ), Public Security Police Force (PSP), Macao Custom Service and Provisional Municipal Council (IACM) were called for a meeting on the discussion of ‘unscrupulous shops’. Consumer Council states that involved departments have been working closely in dealing with ‘unscrupulous shops’ during the past year and no serious case of shops doing business in unethical ways has been observed recently. Participating departments at the meeting all agreed to work closely and enhance their surveillance work during this peak shopping season. Businesses in Macau, especially ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’, are called on to provide good-quality services and products to all local citizens and tourists. Should any citizen or tourist find his or her consumer rights being infringed, he or she should file a complaint at the Council or other departments. The Council will also assign its staff to provide services to consumers through its hotline during 11am to 6pm each day during 4th-6th February. Further, consumers are called on to support environmental protection especially during Chinese New Year time by using recycle bags when purchasing festive items. ‘Certified Shops’ and ‘Adherents’ are also urged to control the number of bags given to consumers.
