How Ekka operators are switching things up amid cost-of-living rise

Cheaper seafood and more giveaways are among the cost-of-living measures being put in place to help families enjoy the Ekka on a budget this year. SEE THE LIST

Cheaper seafood and more giveaways are among the cost-of-living measures being put in place to help families enjoy the Ekka on a budget this year.

Across the show there are multiple deals and discounts available to help families feeling the pinch, including two-for-one rides and nearly 100 showbags for $10 or less.

But stallholders, food outlets and operators in the The Courier-Mail Showbag Pavilion are dropping prices to accommodate.

Samantha Loy from Fitzgibbon with the iconic Ekka strawberry Sunday. Picture: Richard Walker

Fish in the Family owner Paul Papacosta said cost-of-living was at the forefront of their minds with suppliers this year getting more involved to lower costs.

“What they’ve done is they’ve lowered their price on the prawns a little bit so I made it more affordable when we did a prawn and oyster plate,” he said.

“And they’ve got a lot of giveaways.

“They’ve got a lot of things for kids.

“They’ve got some little teddy bears, like little prawn, teddy bears and prawn peelers that I’ll be giving away.”

Mr Papacosta said his aim was showcasing good Queensland Australian prawns and South Australian oysters at affordable prices.

Showbags.com.au general manager Samantha Atkinson said showbags had also evolved more than what they were in the past and how bag offerings compare to retail prices.

“I suppose being a parent myself and you know, our team in Melbourne, we’ve identified that, you know, the cost of living is going up,” she said.

“And we need to we need to get smarter in the way of our offerings and that as well, so we’ve really made sure that this show that we’re really trying to cater for all demographics and consumers to ensure that we for families.

“We’ve really analysed the value that we’re putting into bags.”

Thrillseekers in sideshow alley at the Ekka. Picture: Richard Walker

RNA chief executive Brendan Christou said they were mindful of cost-of-living pressures on everyone at the moment with early bird discount expected to be popular.

“We’ve got a two for one ride offer every day from 9am till 10:30am. So that should be great for families,” he said.

“We’ve been doing some incredible deals in the lead up to show for people to make sure they can get the best value possible.

“So in our food offerings, yes, we do have the award-winning wagyu steak at the steak house. “But we also have the $3 toasted cheese sandwiches so people can choose whatever their budget is they can choose and get something to eat.

“We also allow people to bring their own food from home if they want to.”

SHOWBAGS RETAIL PRICES VS AT EKKA

Ultimate Fidgets RRP $82.50 – selling for $32

Squishy things $72.85 in value selling for $32

Sonic $72.60 – selling for $32

Rick and Morty $86.50 – selling for $32

Pokemon squad $75.50 – selling $32

Pokemon Go $80.55 – selling $32

Bae $118.45 – selling for $32

Narruto $82.55 – selling for $32

Miffy $72.60 – selling for $32

May Gibbs $75.60 – selling for $32

Harry potter classic $75.55 selling $32.00

Call of Duty $86.45 selling $32

Bubble Tea $86.55 selling $32

BBZ $107.45 selling $32

ARNOTT’S BISCUITS

Ekka Price: $15

Supermarket Price: $19.70

BIG MILKYBAR

40 x 15g Milkybar

Ekka Price: $20

Supermarket price: $22

DARRELL LEA LIFE SAVERS

Ekka price: $20

Supermarket price: $24

FERRERO ROCHER

4 x Ferrero Rocher 5 pack

2 x Ferrero Rocher 3 pack

2 x Raffaello 3 Pack

Ekka price: $20

Supermarket price: $26

KINDER BUENO

6 x Kinder Bueno Classic

1 x Kinder Bueno Mini’s Pack of 20

Ekka price: $13

Supermarket price: $17

POCKY

Ekka price: $10

Supermarket price: $15.40

SHAPES

Ekka price: $10

Supermarket price: $17.50

THE NATURAL CONFECTIONERY CO

Ekka Price: $15

Supermarket price: $20

VIOLET CRUMBLE

Ekka price: $15

Supermarket price: $25

Prices sourced from the Ekka showbag website and from Coles, Woolworths and Big W online websites on 18/07/2023. Retail prices are reflective of the full retail price and don’t include discounts.