Consumer Council Warns 'Buy One Get One Free' Deals Often Mislead Shoppers
Thestandard · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
The Consumer Council is cautioning Hong Kong shoppers to look beyond promotional claims after finding that buy-one-get-one-free deals may not deliver the savings consumers expect. The watchdog analyzed 222 packaged food and household items across three major supermarket chains using its Online Price Watch tool over a period from September 2025 to July 2026 .
Key Points
- The Consumer Council examined 222 packaged food and household items at three major supermarket chains using its Online Price Watch tool between September 2025 and July 2026
- Of the products surveyed, 48 items at two supermarkets offered bulk-buy deals including 'Buy 1 Get 1 Free,' 'Choose Any 2 and Get 1 Free,' and 'Get 1 More for HK$1'
- A 150ml bottle of sesame oil typically priced at HK$10–14 increased to HK$20–22 during buy-one-get-one-free promotions, providing only HK$4 in savings or occasionally costing HK$1 more
- The survey revealed that larger packs can cost 2 to 35 percent more per unit than smaller alternatives across seven product groups
- The Online Price Watch platform monitors daily prices for approximately 2,800 products from nine online supermarkets, health and beauty stores, cosmetics shops, and pharmacies
Why It Matters
This warning comes at a time when many households are seeking ways to stretch their budgets amid economic uncertainty. The Consumer Council's findings suggest that promotional displays can be deceptive, and that consumers who do not compare unit prices may end up paying more rather than less . The council is encouraging the public to use its free Online Price Watch tool to make informed decisions and avoid common marketing traps that can erode household savings over time .
This warning comes at a time when many households are seeking ways to stretch their budgets amid economic uncertainty. The Consumer Council's findings suggest that promotional displays can be deceptive, and that consumers who do not compare unit prices may end up paying more rather than less . The council is encouraging the public to use its free Online Price Watch tool to make informed decisions and avoid common marketing traps that can erode household savings over time .