The ACCC’s supermarket inquiry has shone a spotlight on Coles and Woolworths’ high prices. But 76 per cent of shoppers still head to either store for their primary grocery shop.
Aldi has again beaten Coles and Woolworths in a government-funded shopping basket comparison.
Consumer advocacy group Choice released the results as part of its quarterly survey, sending mystery shoppers to 104 stores across the country in September.
Here is a breakdown of the costs between Aldi, Coles, Woolies and IGA (without specials) from its most recent report:
- Aldi: $50.63
- Coles: $67.90
- Woolworths: $69.29
- IGA: $77.57
The argument that consumers are paying a “loyalty tax” in a cost of living crisis is absurd. From the article, this is the only reason:
To say ALDI is a competitor to Colesworth is misleading. It’s a supplementary option at best, just like going to a grocer or market is. The range just isn’t there.
Apart from a few name brand food items, they generally only stock one type of item. So you don’t have 5 different types of alfoil you can buy, but you can still buy alfoil.
Most people who shop at ALDI also shop at Coles/Woolies to get the items they can’t get at ALDI. It’s not a brand thing, it’s that they don’t sell the type of item you’re after at all. As an example, try finding canned mackerel fillets or vegetarian fake meat products at ALDI. They don’t stock them.
Aldi don’t stock niche products. You don’t need to buy canned products like that weekly. Their entire business model is less stock, higher turnover and own brand for most things to control the supply chain more.
In a cost of living crisis, you can olan your shop around what’s in store. If you save, what looks like 25% at Aldi, if enough people shop there, it puts pressure on Cole’s and woolies. Personally, I shop in Aldi, and can get most things there, ut if they don’t have something, I pop into another shop. I had the same experience with woolies and Cole’s. Woolies has a wider selection but it’s still not infinite and store dependent. They might have 5 types of things I never buy, but they don’t necessarily have what I need for my recipe.