Mum’s viral grocery price comparison sparks fierce debate among ALDI diehards

The Aussie mum's detailed ledger revealed a surprising truth, with ALDI devotees sharing their own experiences. 

Lee Anne Worsley was an ALDI devotee, but like everyone in Australia, she’s noticed grocery prices rising drastically.

The mum decided she would see if it was actually worthwhile shopping at the discount German grocer anymore, or if the prices were just as high as Woolworths and Coles.

“A small price comparison of goods this week,” she posted in Facebook group ALDI Mums, sharing a photo of a hand-written ledger comparing prices across normal grocery items.

In the first column is a list of items such as Greek feta cheese, tasty cheese sliced, 700g free range eggs. In the right hand columns are the item prices for ALDI, Woolies and Coles.

Lee Anne’s ledger shows that although in many cases the ALDI products are cheaper, frequently they’re only a few cents cheaper than Coles and Woolworths.

Her one-page comparison went viral with hundreds of people flooding to the comments to weigh in on their experience at the supermarkets.

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Lee Anne's price comparison showed ALDI in the lead, but not by much. Photo: Facebook

Mum discovers ALDI savings diminishing

Lee Anne said in the comments that she’d been careful to compare home brands at the supermarkets to get as close to an apples-with-apples comparison as she possibly could.

The best savings was for red capsicums, which were $5.49 at ALDI. They were $12 and $8.90 at Woolies and Coles respectively. In second place was full cream milk powder. At ALDI Lee Anne saved $2.

The worst savings was just one cent, seen in brioche buns and pasta spirals. Meat pies were the same price at all three chains.

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The group is full of ALDI devotees, but many said the comparison proved that shopping at ALDI wasn’t actually much cheaper anymore, particularly when taking into account rewards programs offered by Woolies and Coles.

“I thought I was going crazy, but when I shopped at ALDI I was realising I wasn’t saving much at all,” one mum said.

“It’s pretty much the same for me too,” said another.

“Considering Woolies has a rewards card and Coles has Flybuys and sales on, I feel the bigger supermarkets actually work out cheaper than ALDI does now,” said a third person.

“I miss when ALDI’s prices were dollars cheaper than other places. My trolley used to be so cheap,” a fourth person lamented.

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Many argued that when taking into consideration rewards programs and the convenience of delivery, Woolworths and Coles were actually good value compared to ALDI. Photo: Facebook

ALDI fans stand by discount grocer

But some loyally stood by ALDI.

“So despite ALDI prices going up, they still come out on top, not to mention that the quality is generally much better than the Coles and Woolies no name brands, which make up most of this list,” said one woman.

Many agreed that the quality of ALDI home brands was far better than the other supermarkets. 

Others said that although the upfront cost at Coles and Woolworths was higher, they could cash in on points later in the year.

“I did a comparison the other day and I saved $20 by getting items from ALDI compared to getting from Coles, however it is more convenient for me to get shopping delivered from Coles, saves time and then using my FlyBuys and collecting the points which I am saving for Christmas,” one person said.

“I agree totally,” said another. “I get about $60 per month in FlyBuys.”

Originally published as Mum’s viral grocery price comparison sparks fierce debate among ALDI diehards