Supermarket Complaints Surge 17% in First Eight Months of 2026
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN

Summary
The Consumer Council reported 359 supermarket-related complaints during the first eight months of 2026, representing a 17% rise compared to the same period last year. Service quality emerged as the leading complaint category, followed by product safety issues that have raised public health concerns.
Key Points
- Consumer Council recorded 1,719 supermarket complaints from 2023 through August 2026, with 70% from physical stores and nearly 20% from online shops
- First eight months of 2026 saw 359 complaints, up 52 cases from 307 in the same period last year
- Physical store service attitude complaints numbered approximately 338 cases, accounting for 20% of total grievances
- Product quality issues comprised 17% of complaints, including reports of discolored and moldy produce at ParknShop stores
- Consumer Council Secretary General Sam Chiu-Hui (沈朝暉) identified poor staff attitude and inaccessible phone hotlines as top service concerns
Why It Matters
The escalation in supermarket complaints highlights growing consumer frustration with both service standards and product safety at major retail chains. The Consumer Council's new price comparison tool aims to empower shoppers with better information to drive competitive pricing across the sector .
The escalation in supermarket complaints highlights growing consumer frustration with both service standards and product safety at major retail chains. The Consumer Council's new price comparison tool aims to empower shoppers with better information to drive competitive pricing across the sector .