The four major local supermarket operators will launch a pilot plan this year to provide unit pricing for daily necessities such as white rice, meat and eggs, which will make it easier for consumers to compare prices of products with different brands and packaging capacity, and make smarter consumer choices.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Trade and Industry Yan Jinyong delivered a speech to the Singapore Consumer Association’s comfort dinner on Saturday (March 15) and announced that the government will launch the above pilot plan with the Consumer Association later this year.

In his speech, Yan Jinyong said that as part of the pilot plan, the Singapore Competition and Consumer Commission will conduct a market survey to collect feedback on consumer display and benefits of unit prices. (Photo by Li Guanwei)

In his speech, Yan Jinyong said that as part of the pilot plan, the Singapore Competition and Consumer Commission will conduct a market survey to collect feedback on consumer display and benefits of unit prices. (Photo by Li Guanwei)

The four supermarket operators participating in the program include affordable supermarkets, refrigeration companies and Giant Supermarkets, Shengsong and Prime Supermarkets. The operators will provide unit pricing for major daily necessities such as white rice, meat, eggs, cooking oil, fruits and vegetables in designated stores participating in the pilot.

In addition to the price of the item, the price per unit of the item will also be displayed on the shelves, such as the price per liter or per kilogram. Supermarkets can also try to display unit pricing in different ways to ensure consumers have a clear understanding.

In his speech, Yan Jinyong said that as part of the pilot plan, the Singapore Competition and Consumer Commission will conduct a market survey to collect feedback on consumer display and benefits of unit prices.

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This will provide a basis for the authorities and will help implement a broader unit pricing plan in the future. More details will be announced after the pilot program is launched.

“We hope that providing unit pricing can improve price transparency, help consumers become more careful when making choices, and prevent retailers from making gimmicks.”

Yang Yicai: I hope the government will stipulate pricing for all retail store display units

In his speech, Yang Yicai, president of the Consumer Association, also said that he hopes that the government can stipulate pricing for all major online and physical retailers display units. (Photo by Li Guanwei)

In his speech, Yang Yicai, president of the Consumer Association, also said that he hopes that the government can stipulate pricing for all major online and physical retailers display units. (Photo by Li Guanwei)

The Consumer Association’s “Friends Savings” mobile app has provided unit pricing for daily necessities starting from 2023 to assist consumers in making smarter consumer choices.

In his speech, Yang Yicai, president of the Consumer Association, also said that he hopes that the government can stipulate pricing for all major online and physical retailers display units. This helps consumers fight shrinkflation (shrinkflation, meaning that the price of goods or services does not rise but reduces the amount).