Two supermarket chains launched price-cut campaigns for the elderly yesterday, slashing the cost of shopping bills under $200 by 10 per cent.
ParknShop was first to announce its scheme, which will run for 16 weeks. It was immediately matched by rival Wellcome.
But the cuts drew criticism from one concern group which branded the scheme 'cheeky' and said the cost of groceries generally was too high.
Under the scheme, senior citizens who spend less than $200 at ParknShop or Wellcome will be entitled to a 10 per cent discount.
Iwan Evans, chief executive officer of the A. S. Watson Group Food Retail Division, which operates ParknShop, said the idea was to help elderly customers during difficult economic times.
But Society for Community Organisation spokesman Ng Wai-tung said the cuts did not amount to much because the lack of supermarket competition meant prices were easily controlled.
'If on one hand they control the prices and on the other they use the name of the elderly to promote their prices, that is not good - it's a bit cheeky,' he said.
