Latest news with #pricecomparison
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Coles and Costco price comparison 'shocks' Aussie mum: 'Significant amount'
An Adelaide woman has shared her surprise after comparing the price of grocery items at Costco and Coles to see which one was cheaper based on unit prices. American bulk-goods chain Costco has been growing in popularity in Australia, with 15 stores now dotted around the country. Ri Springbett has been a Costco member for the last five years, paying $65 a year to shop there. The 37-year-old told Yahoo Finance she was curious to see if her membership was still worth it for her smaller family and decided to do a price comparison against Coles, where she does her weekly grocery shop. 'Costco is known for its bulk-buy and bulk discounts, but as a family of three, I thought, is this really beneficial for me to actually be a member to be shopping here?' she said. RELATED Aldi delivery warning as supermarket takes on Coles, Woolworths with online move Aussie tradie loses $110,000 house deposit due to small detail Aussies issued July 14 ATO tax return warning: 'Really messy' Springbett said she was 'shocked' by the difference and found some items were 40 to 50 per cent cheaper at Costco. However, she noted that Costco-branded products dominated its offering, so she had to compare similar products offered by Coles instead of like-for-like. Australian mince meat, for example, worked out to be $10.99 a kilogram at Costco, compared to $20 per kilogram at Coles. However, this was based on buying 3.920kg of mince at Costco, with the comparable Coles item available in a 500g pack. Free range eggs were $0.67 per 100 grams at Costco based on a 30 pack, compared to $0.94 per 100 grams at Coles based on its 12 pack. TipTop bread was $3.69 a loaf at Costco, compared to $4.50 a loaf at Coles. A whole roast chicken was $7.99 at Costco, compared to $12.50 at Coles. Springbett only compared a relatively small range of products, but she said she "cannot believe" what she discovered, and it was enough for her to change her mind about the value of her membership. 'From those few things, I'm actually saving a significant amount by purchasing the items that we're already using at home or items like coffee, cheese and mince,' she said. A CHOICE comparison conducted in June last year found that of the 23 bulk items it spotchecked against similar items at Coles and Woolworths, Costco had the cheapest unit price 19 times. Aussies urged to compare prices as grocery spending hits record high Grocery spending reached a record high in June this year, according to Finder, with the average household spending $233 per week. That was up 27 per cent per week from June, 2024. Like Springbett, millions of people are looking for ways to save on their groceries, with around a third now shopping at multiple stores to find the best deal. Finder money expert Rebecca Pike told Yahoo Finance Costco's primary appeal was offering lower unit prices on items sold in larger quantities. 'Costco's bulk-buying model can offer significant value on certain items, particularly for larger households or those willing to stock up on non-perishables,' she said. However, she said it was still worth doing your own research. 'It's also important to remember that not every item will be the cheapest, so you should really be clear on how much the unit price is at your local supermarket so you can compare,' she said. Bulk buying also won't be practical or possible for every household, including smaller households, those with limited storage space and those who don't have the upfront cash to bulk buy. 'It's essential for consumers to be savvy. You should be really certain that you can recoup the membership fee through savings from your bulk buying, and that includes having the means and the space to do so,' Pike said. 'If you don't shop there regularly, or don't buy enough to offset the fee, it might not be worthwhile.' Costco membership worth it for Aussie mum Springbett said the grocery savings, along with the savings she gets from her and her husband filling up their cars at the Costco fuel station, made a membership worth it for her. 'It has definitely changed my perception a little bit on Costco. I can see that value more clearly now, but also I will be inclined to purchase more things in bulk,' she told Yahoo Finance. Costco allows members to bring up to two guests and Springbett said she often takes friends and family members to help add more value. Springbett usually shops at Coles weekly and spends between $100 and $120 for her family of three. She then shops at Costco every few months and spends about $200 each trip. She said the biggest items she likes to buy at Costco are school snacks for her son, fruit and vegetables, which can be frozen, and loaves of bread that can be frozen. Springbett said she was very 'strategic' with her Costco shop and made sure she wrote out a list and stuck to it. 'You can get distracted. You can go in and everything looks shiny and exciting … You can end up walking out spending $500 easily,' she said. 'The excitement of Costco is quite appealing, but that doesn't benefit you in any way if you're spending double the amount you intended to."
Bloomberg
04-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Google to Propose Price-Comparison Box in Search to Appease EU
Alphabet Inc. 's Google will propose highlighting search results from other companies' shopping and travel platforms at the top of its page in an attempt to comply with the European Union's Digital Markets Act and fend off fines, people familiar the matter said. Under the plan, a box at the top of Google's search results will show ranked options from price-comparison companies' websites, the people said, asking not to be identified because the proposal is not yet public. Users will be able to either proceed to the sites of its competitors — such as Expedia or Booking — or click on individual results to go to the page of a hotel or airline, they said.
CNET
14-06-2025
- Business
- CNET
Is Trader Joe's Really Cheaper Than an Average Grocery Store in 2025? We Did the Math
As a regular Trader Joe's shopper, I love it not just for the unique products, but also for the sense that it's easier on my wallet. But is TJ's really cheaper than other stores, or does it just feel that way? Putting aside the cult favorites like Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and creamy Pepita Salsa, are staple items actually more affordable? Or could a conventional grocery store be the better deal for basic groceries? I did the math anyway to find out. Here's the full breakdown. For more price comparisons, check out how much you can save by with a Costco membership, if it's cheaper to buy meal kits than groceries and if shopping for groceries online is less expensive than in the store. Trader Joe's vs. Stop & Shop Product TJ's Stop & Shop Baby spinach, 6oz $2.29 $2.99 Organic English cucumber $2.49 $2.99 Spaghetti squash $2.99 $5.32 Banana, each $0.23 $0.35 Grape tomatoes $1.79 $2.49 Hass avocado, each $1.99 0.88 (on sale) Italian extra virgin olive oil, 33.8oz $10.99 $17.29 Organic unsweetened soy beverage, 1 quart $2.29 $3.49 Potato chips, 13 oz $3.24 $5.49 Tortilla chips, 12 oz $2.99 $5.49 Roasted red pepper hummus, 10oz $3.49 $3.99 Shredded cheddar cheese, 8oz $4.99 $2.00 Cream cheese, 8oz $1.99 $2.99 Sliced Muenster cheese, 8oz $2.99 $3.99 Greek nonfat yogurt, 32oz $5.49 $4.49 Organic reduced fat milk, half gallon $5.99 $5.29 Overnight oats $1.99 $1.99 Almond butter, 16 oz $5.99 $9.29 Whole bean coffee, 12oz $6.43 7.99 (on sale) Peanuts, 16oz $2.99 $2.99 Organic low sodium chicken broth, 32oz $1.99 $2.79 Solid white albacore tuna in olive oil, 5oz $1.99 $2.29 Organic virgin coconut oil, 14oz $4.37 $11.99 Organic garbanzo beans, 15oz $1.19 1.25 (on sale) Black beans, 15oz $0.99 $0.99 Dijon mustard, 12oz $1.94 $3.29 Pure maple syrup, 8oz $4.99 5.99 (on sale) Clover honey, 12oz $3.99 $5.29 Spaghetti, 16oz $0.99 $1.29 Unbleached all-purpose flour, 5lbs $2.99 $3.79 Frozen peas, 16oz $1.79 $2.69 Frozen margherits pizza, 15oz $4.79 $7.99 Egg bites, 4.2oz $3.79 $4.99 Large brown eggs, 1 dozen $5.99 $5.49 Spinach tortellini, 9 oz $2.96 $3.99 Extra lean ground beef, 16oz $7.49 $8.57 Smoked salmon, 4 oz $5.99 $7.99 Ground turkey, 16oz $4.49 $4.99 Organic chicken breast, per pound $7.99 $8.49 Plain bagels, 6 count $2.49 $2.99 English muffins, 6 count $1.99 $1.99 Flour tortillas, 17oz $2.82 $3.29 French vanilla ice cream, 1 qt $4.79 $2.66 Fresh pizza dough, 16oz $1.69 $2.49 Tempeh, 8 oz $2.49 $3.79 Total $160.09 $198.66 How much cheaper was Trader Joe's? According to our online price comparison done in June of 2025 using online prices and prorated for equal quantity, Trader Joe's was 21.5% cheaper than Stop & Shop. The list of groceries bought at TJ's totaled $160.09, while the same or similar groceries would cost nearly $200 if purchased from Stop & Shop. Who supplies Trader Joe's products? First things first: When it comes to understanding the potential savings of shopping only at Trader Joe's, it's important to know where TJ's products come from, regardless of whether we're talking about flour and butter or Unexpected Cheddar and frozen butter chicken. We've previously analyzed whether it's cheaper to buy store brand or name brand products, and we found potential savings when predominately shopping store brand products. So, is TJ's affordability simply a matter of Trader Joe's only selling store brand items? As it turns out Trader Joe's more or less only sells products under its own brand name, with few exceptions. Trader Joe's is definitely cheaper than the average grocery store, but you might have to wait in a longer checkout line to take advantage of those cheaper prices. Shara Tibken/CNET Trader Joe's isn't actually a manufacturer of products itself, and unlike some store brands (which are really just name brands in disguise), Trader Joe's relationship with its vendors is a unique point in understanding its pricing structure. Turns out there's actually merit to the "trader" element of Trader Joe's name. According to its website, Trader Joe's deals directly with manufacturers and growers, cutting out the brokers and distributors, which contributes to its lower prices. Which exact vendors make those Trader Joe's items with cult-like followings is a closely guarded secret. Trader Joe's vs. Stop & Shop Stop & Shop is a regional chain in the northeastern US whose sibling companies include Hannaford, Giant and Food Lion. I chose Stop & Shop to represent an average grocery chain in my area whose reputation is good and whose prices are known for being reasonable. However, it doesn't have the cult following of Trader Joe's, or even the following of other conventional retailers such as Wegmans. Stop & Shop does have its own store brand, simply called SB, which stands for "store brand." It also has an organic store brand line called Nature's Promise. Both the SB and Nature's Promise lines offer a wide variety of products in every department. Your local Stop & Shop may have self-driving delivery pods but it also has higher grocery prices than Trader Joe's. Stop & Shop How I evaluated Trader Joe's and Stop & Shop for staples Using grocery shopping templates available online, I generated a list of almost 50 basic grocery items representing a wide range of price points from nearly all departments of the store: produce, pantry, dairy, deli/meat, bakery and frozen sections. I only left out bath and body care products and cleaning supplies, since I was primarily interested in comparing food costs. For each item, I compared the Trader Joe's price, sourced from Trader Joe's website, to the Stop & Shop price, sourced from Stop & Shop's website. I did this evaluation in June 2025. I tried to find equivalencies in terms of the sizes of each product, but when one store or the other was offering a larger size, we prorated the price to match in quantity. To make it as fair a fight as possible, and since Trader Joe's entire fleet of products qualifies as store-brand, I used the equivalent Stop & Shop SB product or Nature's Promise product as a point of comparison whenever possible. Trader Joe's beloved pepita salsa is just one example of a store brand item that's gained fandom and loyalty all its own. Trader Joe's Trader Joe's savings At the end of the nearly 50-item list of basic staples, comparing what was effectively store brand to store brand, Trader Joe's clearly came out as the winner, with a final total of $160.09 compared to Stop & Shop's final total of $198.66. That's a total of about 21.5% savings on the entirety of the list. If you're someone who doesn't typically purchase store brand items when shopping at conventional grocery stores, it is safe to assume that the potential savings could be even greater. Stop & Shop did offer a good amount of sales and competitive prices, but Trader Joe's won in this test. Where are the biggest savings on Trader Joe's items? Almost all of Trader Joe's biggest money savers come from the pantry department, with cereal, soy milk, coffee, maple syrup, coconut oil and nuts. Coffee and coconut oil, in particular, have such unbeatable prices that one wonders whether TJ's has brokered a deal with the devil. It is worth noting that deli cheeses, ice cream and black beans seemed to be the categories where Stop & Shop came close to TJ's prices. Stop & Shop's price for shredded cheddar cheese and French vanilla ice cream were actually lower than the same TJ's products. For black beans, both stores offered them for the same price. Cheese and produce are two departments where Trader Joe's may not always have a clear price advantage. Getty Images Additionally, the produce department at Trader Joe's is almost entirely sold by package or by item, as opposed to by weight, with prices that rarely fluctuate, meaning that there might be better produce deals to be found at conventional retailers for fruits and vegetables that are priced by weight rather than the piece. (When spotted, I will always buy a .99 cent avocado at any retailer.) I would also note that weekly sales specials, which were not necessarily factored in here, can also offer a conventional retailer a price advantage over Trader Joe's on certain items from week to week. Despite these possibilities for occasional better savings in some departments, however, the math is clear: Trader Joe's has some of the best overall prices, even where basic groceries are concerned. More stories where we do the math
Reuters
10-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
E-Katalog Launches PriceHub in UK as Independent Price Comparison Platform
LONDON, United Kingdom, June 10, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- E-Katalog, opens new tab, one of Eastern Europe's leading price comparison platforms, has launched its service in the United Kingdom under the new brand name PriceHub, opens new tab. The rebranding reflects the company's strategy to adapt its Ukrainian platform to the specific characteristics of the UK e-commerce market and positions the service as an independent alternative to existing comparison services. PriceHub lets British consumers compare prices and technical specifications for millions of products from thousands of online retailers, including both large chains and specialized stores. Particular attention is paid to the independence and transparency of comparisons — unlike marketplaces and affiliate platforms, PriceHub does not distort results with sponsored listings. 'The United Kingdom represents a unique market where global giants and strong local players coexist,' said Anatolii Skrypniak, founder of E-Katalog. 'PriceHub was created specifically for British consumers who value independent comparisons and in-depth analysis of product specifications.' International Expansion and Localization The launch of PriceHub in the UK is part of the company's large-scale international expansion. In Ukraine, E-Katalog serves millions of users each month, offering a wide range of product categories — from home appliances to electronics. In 2021, the company successfully launched E-Katalog in Poland, opens new tab, and in 2023 it entered the U.S. market with the E-Catalog platform, opens new tab. Each localization involves full adaptation to local conditions: support for local currencies and languages, integration with regional online stores, and consideration of consumer behavior. For example, American users actively search for smartphones, opens new tab with specific features, while the UK version emphasizes categories such as smartwatches, opens new tab and other high-tech products. Focus on Conscious Consumption PriceHub positions itself as a tool for conscious consumption. The platform provides detailed information not only on prices, but also on product durability, energy efficiency, environmental characteristics, and verified user reviews. This helps consumers make informed decisions and reduce the number of impulse purchases. 'We want to change the culture of online shopping,' Skrypniak explains. 'Instead of quick purchases based on advertising, we offer deep analysis and comparison. Our goal is to help people buy exactly what they need — at the best price and with a full understanding of the product's features.' Technological Advantages and Independence A key advantage of PriceHub is its technological independence from sellers. The company partners with thousands of retailers and presents all offers available on the market equally to the user, ensuring the objectivity of comparisons (for example, mobile phones, opens new tab). The platform uses proprietary algorithms for automatic data collection and analysis, enabling real-time processing of information on millions of products. The system automatically tracks price changes, new product listings, and specification updates. Special attention is paid to data quality: PriceHub uses machine learning technologies to verify the accuracy of product information and detect potentially misleading or unethical offers. Development Plans The company plans to actively develop its presence in the United Kingdom, focusing on expanding its network of partner stores and improving the user experience. In the near future, PriceHub will launch a mobile application for the UK market and integrate with popular local delivery services. 'The UK market is an important step in our European expansion,' Skrypniak notes. 'We see great potential for independent comparison services in Europe, where consumers value transparency and quality information.' In the long term, E-Katalog plans to expand into markets such as France, Italy, and Germany, each time taking into account local market specifics and, where necessary, adapting its branding. About E-Katalog E-Katalog is a Ukrainian technology company founded in 2001 that develops platforms for comparing product prices and specifications. It serves millions of users each month across Ukraine, Poland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The platform features data on millions of products from thousands of online retailers, using proprietary technology to ensure accuracy and relevance. E-Katalog's mission is to equip consumers with the tools they need to make informed purchasing decisions. For more information, visit Media Contact Vadym Koruzinfo@ ### SOURCE: E-Katalog Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
3 McDonald's Meals You Can Make Cheaper at Home by Shopping at Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's has established itself as both a customer service standout — having famously rebuffed the idea of adding self-checkout lanes to its stores — and as a quality foods leader. But can it beat McDonald's when it comes to offering up lower prices on fast-food favorites? Read More: Find Out: There's only one way to tell. A brief comparison of some popular McDonald's favorites, and Trader Joe's copycats made at home, follows — condiments not included as Trader Joe's makes up ground on the sides and beverage options, and most people hold staple foods at the ready. Veggies are priced in at 30 cents per serving, based on Trader Joe's listed prices for Campari tomatoes, jumbo yellow onions, and butter / Romaine lettuce. Here are three McDonald's combos you can make cheaper from Trader Joe's. If you're feeling like a feast fit for a king (but not at Burger King), it's going to set you back $11.89 to snag a Double Quarter-Pounder with cheese combo from the Golden Arches. Trader Joe's, on the other hand, offers an 8-pack of its brand of classic hamburger buns for $2.49 (31 cents per bun) and one pound of organic 80/20 ground beef for the perfect patty at $6.49 ($1.62 per patty, so $3.24 to meet the McDonald's meat quota). Sliced sharp cheddar — no processed American cheese here — rings up at 43 cents per slice, and you'll be getting two. Add in a serving of Trader Joe's seasoned waffle fries — $3.79 for a 20 ounce bag, which equates to five servings of McDonald's medium fries at 76 cents per order — and replace a fountain drink with a far superior Spindrift Island Punch sparkling water at 94 cents, and you're all set. The total cost for the upscale Trader Joe's option? $6.41, saving you a little more than five bucks for an undeniably superior meal. Discover Next: The Deluxe McCrispy gets all dressed up with lettuce and tomato to enhance its peppery flavor profile, complete with a fancy potato bun. So why not do the same for Trader Joe's taste-alike, all things being equal? A potato bun from Trader Joe's will set you back 44 cents, and enough organic, free-range boneless chicken breast to make up the weight of a McCrispy — even if you overestimate the weight of the patty to 150 grams — is priced at $2.33. You'll also need a small portion of pantry staples: bread crumbs, an egg, flour, salt and pepper to taste. We'll see if the price difference at the end affords room here. As priced above, the rest of the combo (waffle fries and sparkling water) adds another $1.70 to the cost of the McDonald's Deluxe McCrispy combo (priced at $10.09) substitute. In total, the Trader Joe's breaded chicken sandwich meal is costed out at $4.77. Even with the still-high price of eggs, you will be saving a great deal of cash by preparing this one at home, and it will almost certainly taste better, too. Everyone loves chicken nuggets, no matter the age. While often described as children's favorite, adults are equally as likely to take down a 6-piece Chicken McNugget Combo (priced at $7.69) when hunger strikes, even though it might cost a pretty penny — 769 pennies, in fact. Trader Joe's offers organic chicken nuggets in a 12-ounce size for $4.99, which balances out to three-and-a-half servings (or about 21 nuggets), at a cost of $1.43 per order. Add in the fries (76 cents) and a can of Spindrift (94 cents), and the Trader Joe's McNugget meal copycat rings up at $3.13, less than half of the price of ordering at McDonald's. Dipping sauces not included. More From GOBankingRates Surprising Items People Are Stocking Up On Before Tariff Pains Hit: Is It Smart? 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement This article originally appeared on 3 McDonald's Meals You Can Make Cheaper at Home by Shopping at Trader Joe's
