Shoppers are getting slugged 10 per cent more for buying some groceries online
SHOPPERS who order groceries online instead of going to a supermarket are being slugged as much as 10 per cent extra on many items, new analysis has revealed.
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SHOPPERS who order groceries online instead of visiting a supermarket are being slugged as much as 10 per cent extra on many items, new analysis has revealed.
Supermarket giant Coles has been found to charge customers ordering their groceries via the store’s online app or website more on popular grocery items such as coffee, flour, biscuits, yoghurt and crisps, new analysis by News Corp has revealed.
Consumer groups have warned it’s a case of “buyer beware” and customers should be mindful that ordering with the click of a mouse may end up costing them more.
MORE: Five easy ways to cut your grocery bill
Queensland Consumers’ Association’s spokesman Ian Jarratt said offering customers difference prices instore versus online made it confusing to compare apples with apples.
“It can make life more complicated for consumers to make well-informed decisions when they do this, particularly with inconsistencies,’’ he said.
“A lot of people seem to shop online for convenience so there may be less price conscious and value conscious than other shoppers.”
The analysis found on a range of popular items an extra 10 per cent was charged on the online Coles site versus visiting a Coles supermarket, this included;
— White Wings Plain Flour 1kg — $3 versus $3.30 online.
— Nescafe 50g coffee — $5 instore versus $5.50 online.
— Savoy/Jatz biscuits 225g — $3 versus $3.30 online.
— Farmers Union Greek Yoghurt 200g — $2.20 versus $2.42 online.
— Grainwaves Sour Cream 210g — $4 versus $4.40 online.
A Coles spokesman confirmed they do charge “a small price premium” on some items when customers order them online.
“There are some categories where we apply a small price premium and this is to help cover the cost of our convenient service, including the dedicated team members who select our customers’ groceries,’’ he said.
“Most of our fresh food items such fruit, vegetables, meat, deli, bread, milk and eggs as well as baby-related items such as nappies and baby food are the same regular price online as in store.”
MORE: Supermarkets cut back on plastic packaging
Woolworths’ general manager of eCommerce sales and digital innovation Faye Ilhan said there was continued growth in shoppers ordering groceries online but customers were not charged any extra for doing so.
“More and more of our customers are turning to online to help save time on the weekly shop and it’s important they can have trust in our prices when they choose to do this,’’ he said.
Woolworths said customers do not pay more for any items online than they do in store.
sophie.elsworth@news.com.au
PRICE COMPARISON
| ITEM | COLES | COLES ONLINE | WOOLIES | WW ONLINE |
| White Wings Plain Flour 1kg | $3 | $3.30 | $2.50* | $2.50 |
Weetbix 375g | $2.70 | $2.70 | $3 | $2.69 |
| Kleenex Soothe 95 pack | $2 | $2 | $2 | n/a |
| Omo 1L Potato Gems 1kg | $3* | $3* | $4.29 | $4.29 |
| Nescafe 50g | $5 | $5.50 | $5 | $5 |
| Savoy/Jatz 225g | $3 | $3.30 | $3 | $3 |
| John West Springwater tuna 95g | $1* | $1* | $2 | $2 |
| Farmers Union Greek yoghurt 200g | $2.20 | $2.42 | $2.20 | $2.20 |
| Grainwaves Sour Cream 210g | $4 | $4.40 | $4 | $4 |
| TOTAL | $25.90 | $27.62 | $27.99 | $25.68 (NB one item not included) |
*Notes weekly special price.
Prices compared at Woolworths and Coles supermarkets and online on the weekend of June 2/3.
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