CHOICE survey reveals cheapest supermarket grocery options for Aussies
Consumer group CHOICE recently conducted a detailed survey of 104 supermarkets in 27 locations across the country to identify which stores offered the best prices when it comes to a basket of specific, easy-to-find and commonly purchased groceries.
Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA were assessed on their pricing of standard items like full cream milk, carrots, chicken breast fillets and strawberries, as well as winter staples like drinking chocolate, brown onions and garlic.
The results were as follows:
Aldi: $55.35
Woolworths: $58.92
Coles: $59.92
IGA: $69.64
The price of each chain's basket is updated each quarter.
Aldi is still the cheapest and IGA is still the most expensive, but across the board prices have fluctuated slightly per basket.
CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva said Aldi's winter-themed items 'had the best deal for shoppers looking to keep cosy'.
'Without specials, Woolworths had the cheapest chicken breasts and pumpkin,' Mr de Silva said.
'Coles had the best deals on apples. At IGA, you paid less for carrots and garlic than at the other three supermarkets. For all other products, Aldi is your best bet.'
'All up, if you're planning a hearty porridge breakfast, or wanting a cup of hot chocolate to keep you feeling snug, Aldi should be your first stop.
'But, as always, there are lots of other ways to save on your weekly grocery shop. Checking the unit pricing, keeping an eye on specials, shopping around, and trying out house brand products can all add up to significant savings.'
Independent Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell said the findings were a win for public pressure on grocery companies.
'Aussies said they were fed up with cowboy behaviour and dodgy deals from major supermarkets,' she said.
'After shining a spotlight on their bad habits, this CHOICE report shows prices between ALDI, Coles and Woolworths are much closer than they were a year ago. It's a win for standing up to the big guys.'
Senator Tyrrell wants ALDI to set up shop in her home state.
'Once again, CHOICE shows ALDI has cheaper prices than Coles or Woolies, yet ALDI continues to treat Tasmanians like the poor cousins of our mainland counterparts,' she said.
'We have a lack of supermarket competition, we're the state with the lowest wages and Tasmanians are paying the price for it – quite literally.
'I'm just a girl, standing in front of an ALDI, asking you to come to Tasmania.'
The ACCC released a report in March that said that while Australia's grocery chains were some of the most profitable in the world, they had not engaged in any form of misconduct or price gouging.
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