Major supermarkets in Singapore are set to introduce unit pricing for common grocery items, including rice, meat, eggs, cooking oils, fruits, and vegetables. This initiative, announced by Trade and Industry Minister Gan Kim Yong at the Consumer Association of Singapore’s partners’ appreciation dinner, aims to provide consumers with more transparent pricing information to guide their purchasing decisions.
Unit Pricing Pilot Scheme
The unit pricing pilot will be implemented at selected outlets operated by major supermarket chains such as NTUC FairPrice, Cold Storage, Giant, Sheng Siong, and Prime. In addition to the product price, customers will now have the opportunity to view the unit price, which specifies the cost per litre or kilogram of the item.
Minister Gan emphasized that the integration of unit pricing aims to enhance price transparency, assist consumers in making informed choices to maximize their spending power, and discourage retailers from employing pricing gimmicks. He highlighted the success of CASE’s Price Kaki app, which introduced unit pricing for over 6,000 grocery and household items, enabling consumers to compare prices across various brands and package sizes easily.
CASE president Melvin Yong advocated for mandatory unit pricing, emphasizing its role in helping customers identify pricing gimmicks and combat shrinkflation. The Price Kaki app, which has been downloaded over 170,000 times, has been instrumental in familiarizing consumers with unit pricing and facilitating price comparison.
Consumer Protection Review Panel
In addition to the unit pricing initiative, Minister Gan disclosed the establishment of a consumer protection review panel to address key consumer concerns and enhance consumer protection in Singapore. Chaired by Mr. Yong and former judicial commissioner Foo Tuat Yien, the panel comprises academics, legal experts, and industry leaders.
The panel’s focus areas include prepayment losses, online commerce, entertainment events, pressure sales tactics, and improving access to recourse for consumers. Minister Gan highlighted a significant increase in prepayment losses reported by consumers in the previous year, emphasizing the need to mitigate such losses, particularly in sectors like beauty, renovation, and fitness centers.
To address the rise in e-commerce complaints, which accounted for 33% of all complaints received in 2024, the panel will explore ways to enhance consumer recourse in cases of order fulfillment failures, delivery issues, or defective goods. Minister Gan emphasized the importance of consulting industry stakeholders, studying international best practices, and developing recommendations to empower consumers, elevate industry standards, and reinforce regulatory mechanisms to align with local requirements.
In response to consumer concerns and evolving market dynamics, the pilot unit pricing scheme and the establishment of the consumer protection review panel signify the government’s commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and enhancing transparency in the retail sector. Through these initiatives, consumers can expect more informed purchasing experiences and increased protection against unfair practices.
