Coles boss reveals gamechanging 80c item to beat cost of living crisis

As Australia’s cost of living crisis ramps up, the nation’s top supermarket bosses have shared their best affordable grocery hacks.

As more and more families start to feel the pinch, Australia’s supermarket giants have revealed their top money-saving hacks to help your dollar stretch further.

With the nation’s cost of living crisis spurred by soaring interest rates, inflation and shortages, four grocery chain bosses told A Current Affair there were still easy ways to feed your family on the cheap.

Coles

Coles’ chief operations and sustainability officer Matt Swindells told the program his best tip was to track down a cheap protein choice – such as chicken drumsticks at $4 or pork mince at $4.50 – and then build a meal using other affordable staples like $1 pasta.

But his best tip was to stock up on cans of lentils, which cost less than a dollar.

“Lentils [are] 80 cents for a tin, adds more protein, bulks out the sauce, gives it a bit of texture,” he said.

“Spaghetti pork meatballs with lentils for extra health and protein, family of four, that one is less than $10.”

He added that Coles was also giving Flybuys members triple points until June 28.

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Woman hands pushing a shopping trolley in a supermarket.

Woolworths

Chief commercial officer of Woolworths Group Paul Harker said the company had introduced a price freeze on almost 200 crucial items like flour, rice, sugar and pasta, which will last until the end of 2022.

He added that Woolies also had around 5000 specials per week of up to 50 per cent off, with weekly specials being rolled out on Wednesdays and lasting until Tuesday, with winter specials also on offer throughout the season.

Meanwhile, Mr Harker also urged shoppers to sign up to Woolworths Every Day Rewards.

“Every time you shop and scan your rewards card you earn points and when you get 2000 points you get $10 off your next shop and you can actually bank those up if you like,” he told A Current Affair.

Woolies shoppers are urged to sign up to Woolworths Every Day Rewards. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

IGA

IGA also has a rewards program, and Jones Retail Group general manager David Kindt told ACA the company’s catalogue also provided information on a huge range of specials.

“Sweet potato is an excellent option at the moment. At just $1.80/kg you can feed a whole lot of family, for really, really cheap,” Mr Kindt said.

“We’ve got a beautiful IGA corned silverside for just $10.95/kg accompanied with that winter veg that makes for a pretty cheap family meal.”

Aldi

Aldi director of customer interactions Adrian Christie told the program the average Aussie family could save up to $2468 a year just by shopping at the budget-friendly chain.

“The prices are everyday low prices. What we mean by that is we keep them at the same low prices, they don’t go up and down,” Mr Christie said.

“So, one week it won’t be expensive and the next will be half-off.

“Every week it’s the same price.”

The company also provides weekly, fortnightly and monthly “super” savers on a range of items.

Originally published as Coles boss reveals gamechanging 80c item to beat cost of living crisis