Australians are being urged to shop smart and compare prices, as new research shows that visiting more than one supermarket can lead to real savings, even though one chain still offers the best overall value.
In March, Choice sent mystery shoppers to 104 supermarkets around the country to compare the cost of 14 common winter essentials. The list included popular items like vegetable stock, sour cream, drinking chocolate, butternut pumpkin, oats, garlic, and onions.
The result? Aldi came out on top, with the basket of goods costing just $55.35. Woolworths followed at $58.92, and Coles at $59.22. IGA was the most expensive, with the same items costing $69.74, though it did offer the cheapest carrots and garlic.
Prices were compared without factoring in specials or discounts, and items were matched as closely as possible by size, ingredients, and origin.
Coles had the best deal on apples, while Woolworths was the cheapest for chicken breasts and pumpkin.
“If you’re planning a hearty porridge breakfast or a cosy cup of hot chocolate, Aldi should be your first stop,” said Choice CEO Ashley de Silva. “But there are plenty of other ways to save — from checking unit prices and watching specials, to trying house brands and shopping around.”
The findings come on the heels of a major report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, which found supermarket giants faced limited pricing pressure due to their dominant market share, though it stopped short of accusing them of price gouging.
Aldi holds 9.5 per cent of the national grocery market, behind Woolworths (37.1 per cent) and Coles (27.9 per cent). IGA, the smallest of the major four, holds 6.9 per cent.
