This Month
Greens flag $30m to lure Aldi to Tasmania
As part of an election pitch, the Greens are seeking to lure the discount supermarket chain to the Apple Isle to help boost competition and lower grocery bills.
These women are conquering Aussie dinner tables, one lasagne at a time
The Dinner Ladies began with two women selling home-cooked meals to friends. It now delivers 40,000 meals a week and is expanding in a $2 billion market.
More shoppers say Coles (not Woolworths) is their main supermarket
A survey conducted for UBS clients suggests the smaller grocery retailer is increasingly central to consumers as higher living costs strain household budgets.
March
Woolworths slashes prices to close gap on Aldi
The under fire supermarkets are looking to show shoppers and politicians consumers are getting better deals at the checkout.
Price check on budget forecasts
Readers’ letters on the iron ore price in budget forecasts, international exposure for self-managed superannuation funds under Donald Trump, a state-run social media platform, the ACCC’s supermarkets inquiry and the plight of young men.
No joy for supermarkets in the election – but safeguards needed
There is a good case for both Labor and the Coalition’s proposals, but they should apply to all big businesses.
New Zealand eyes breaking its supermarket duopoly
The local unit of Woolworths and Foodstuffs New Zealand have a stranglehold on the grocery sector, which has been blamed for high prices.
Labor pledges to crack down on supermarket price gouging
The Albanese government will add new price gouging protections to the country’s competition laws if it wins the May 3 election.
11 curious things you may have missed
What was in the budget for the Maugean skate, live music and St George Illawarra? We’ve found the budget’s new ideas and unlikely assumptions.
It’s time for the treasurer to stop treating us like mugs
Jim Chalmers’ crackdown on the supermarkets is an exercise in political blame-shifting that risks wrapping the economy in more red tape for no gain. But the Coalition is little better.
Fresh produce suppliers copping downside of power imbalance: ACCC
The National Farmers’ Federation says claims by fresh food producers that Coles and Woolworths have the upper hand been validated by the competition regulator.
Woolworths, Coles warn more red tape means higher grocery prices
Disputing the ACCC’s findings that they have oversized profitability, the supermarket giants say increased costs will be passed onto shoppers.
Why the ACCC can’t limit Coles and Woolies’ power
The two supermarkets will cop more scrutiny on their practices and globally impressive margins, but their long-term market position and power will stay intact.
Why Aussie consumers are losing the supermarket wars
While there is no silver bullet, the ACCC has some recommendations to improve competition in the sector.
Coles names Victoria as Australia’s supermarket theft capital
Other grocery retailers are also warning about a rise in shoplifting in the state, suggesting criminal organisations are becoming more brazen.
Fonterra’s Mainland IPO milks investor thirst for new ideas
The guts of the business is to take milk from Australia and New Zealand farms, turn it into cheese and butter, and sell it regionally. Is that tasty enough in volatile markets?
Top Canadian supermarket says sales of US products ‘rapidly’ dropping
The chief executive of grocery chains owner Empire said that customers have been “loud and clear” that they want domestic products.
Brokers expect Woolworths to tip $200m into lower supermarket prices
The country’s biggest grocery retailer said it expected to cut $400 million in costs this year, but has yet to detail how it will use those savings.
February
Supermarkets aren’t price-gouging, but try telling that to politicians
The pricing and profits at Coles and Woolworths are set to become a political football again on the eve of the 2025 federal election campaign.
Coles sales growth beats Woolworths, dividend rises
The retail giant also gained from industrial action at its rival in December, which resulted in empty shelves and customers defecting.