Consumer Council released its latest 'Supermarket Price Survey' dated 16th February. In comparison with last month's record, prices of many categories of products, mainly canned foods, beverages, snacks, and household cleansing products, recorded slight price increases. Survey result also revealed that price differences of up to 25% 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 95 items had dropped and 33 items recorded no change in price. Average prices of 177 items from various categories of products had been raised but most of them recorded an increase of less than 10%, only a few items, such as 'Budweiser King of Beers (330ml)', 'Nestle Ice Cream (Family Pack) (2L)', and 'Shokubutsu Body Foam (750ml)' had an increase of more than 10%. For household cleansing products, average prices of over half of the surveyed items had been increased by 0.01% to 7.39%. For rice, "Gum Ling Gi" Thai Hom Mali Rice (15kg), which was on sale in many retail spots last month, recorded a price increment of almost 47% as it is being sold at the original price level this month. For the 95 items which recorded price decrease, the average drop recorded was less than 0.6%. The Council indicated that as supermarkets change their prices constantly, price discrepancies of products also vary significantly. Among the various supermarket chain stores surveyed by the Council, selling prices of the same product are found to vary for up to 25% in different branches located in different areas 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.
