'It's disgusting': Shoppers despair over price hike on lunchbox staple

First, it was the cheese; now, they’re after the Twiggy Sticks: Facebook group vents about the “disgusting” price of groceries as the cost of living continues to soar.

Dominique Birouste

2 min read

October 25, 2023 - 3:04PM

Shoppers ‘more conscious’ of their money amid inflation

Lifestyle

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First the cheese, now the Twiggy Sticks.

One shopper recently posted to the Facebook group “Mums on a Budget Australia,” a group dedicated to sharing savvy financial tips for mums, posted a picture that infuriated members.

The image, showing a price tag of $15.40 for a packet of these beloved snacks at Coles, came with the caption: “$15.40 for Hans twiggy sticks at Coles! And I thought $10 for one of these packets was already a bit much. It’s quite the price hike.”

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Are ridiculously expensive groceries our new norm? Source: Facebook

The disgusting price of foods

As Fiona’s post hit the group, the comments section exploded with hilarity and outrage.

Feeling the economic squeeze, one member vowed to boycott items with purposefully inflated prices.

Another chimed in, “Yes, it’s disgusting the prices for foods now... I can understand prices going up by 1, 2, or 3 dollars, but some have even doubled.”

Fiona’s humour resonated with many, as someone else added, “They can keep them for that price!”

A bleak prediction about Christmas emerged: “The way things are going, Christmas this year will be a slice of ham and a pretzel each.”

Pinching pennies

This post isn’t just a social media storm in a teacup.

Many shoppers are feeling the pinch as they navigate the ever-rising grocery prices.

Data from Compare the Market reveals that the prices of everyday groceries in Australia have surged by more than 8% over the last year.

The analysis studied 44 everyday grocery items, showing that prices have risen in 52.27% of cases. In contrast, about 34.09% remained stable, with just under 10% experiencing reductions.

Some sharpest price increases were observed in Brussels sprouts, Hass avocados, and brown onions.

For parents navigating tight budgets, these increases can significantly impact their weekly grocery bills.

Groceries in Australia have surged by more than 8% over the last year. Source: iStock

The supermarket giants cashing in

Coles and Woolworths, the two giants of Australian grocery retail, are thriving amidst the grocery price inflation.

Their revenue reports have been nothing short of stellar, with both companies enjoying substantial profits.

Woolworths revealed a 4.6% increase in its full-year profit after tax to $1.62 billion. In comparison, Coles reported a 6.1% growth in sales revenue for the financial year, with a cash profit of $1.1 billion, up from $1.05 billion in the previous year.

Tips to save on your groceries

A recent CANSTAR article revealed their top tips to help you save on groceries.

Create a weekly meal plan to minimise waste and maximise sales.
Avoid recipes with special, one-time-use ingredients.
Prepare extra portions to use as leftovers for future meals.
Make a shopping list and stick to it to avoid impulse purchases.
Be cautious of product placement designed to encourage additional spending.
Check for end-of-day reductions on fruits, vegetables, and meats.
Consider buying “ugly food” with unique shapes and lower prices.
Don’t be overly brand loyal.

What’s in store for the year ahead?

With Australia expecting a bountiful harvest and ongoing economic uncertainty, supermarkets will likely maintain substantial profits, according to Professor Ellen Garbarino from the University of Sydney’s Business School.

“In times of abundant quality produce, supermarkets can leverage seasonal specials as a marketing strategy to attract customers and encourage spending.”

Professor Garbarino emphasises that supermarkets will continue to thrive during periods of uncertainty as more individuals seek comfort and security in their homes.