‘Vintage’ Woolworths receipt found in a coat pocket reveals sad truth

An 12-year-old Woolworths receipt in a coat pocket has offered an intriguing flashback to a far away pre-cost-of-living crisis era.

‘Vintage’ Woolworths receipt found in a coat pocket reveals sad truth

It’s rare to see tangible evidence of a decade of inflation but an old Woolies receipt in an old coat pocket has offered an intriguing flashback to a far away pre-cost-of-living crisis era.

Melbourne TikToker Iknowtegan shared the “very vintage” receipt with her followers.

She laughed as she rattled out the super-low prices on the 2011 receipt from a South Yarra store.

The first was a 900g Nestle Nan H.A Gold with Bifidus baby formula was $23.99.

While that is not currently stocked, other Nestle Nan products available at Woolworths online sell from between $20 and $36 for 800g.

A 160 gram bag of spinach was $1.49. That will set you back roughly $2.70 today.

Green capsicum – at the time, was sold by the kilo at $5.98p/kg. They now sell for $2.23 each.

A TikTokking mum has shared a blast from the past in the form of a 2011 Woolies receipt. Picture: @iknowtegan

Hass avocados have not really budged, selling at $2.48 in 2011.

Lamb cutlets must have been on super special at the time, with the receipt showing 3kg worth $13.50.

However, some suggest it was likely a 300-500g pack of cutlets but was cut off at the end.

Woolworths Lamb Cutlets 4 – 7 Pieces 250g – 600g currently sell for $25.80

A 200g block of Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate set her back $3.69 and is now listed online at a reduced 180g size for $5.50. Though at the time of publication you can grab two for $9.

In 2011 a 400g bag of Homebrand choc bullets set the shopper back $2.99. Today, 226g Woolworths brand Chocolate Liquorice Bullets go for $2.75.

The grand total in 2011 was $49.59 or $70 in 2023 dollars adjusted for inflation.

The same shop, however, would set you back between $78 and $86 depending on some selections, and that is not subject to any specials.

Her followers were appreciative of the grocery flashback.

“Are we that old that 2011 is way back? Remember growing up, and our parents were like back in my day,” one person joked.

Others pointed out what appeared to be some cases of shrinkflation.

“Block of dairy milk was 200g too. Now it’s 180g,” one said.

The following chart depicts the equivalence of $50 due to compound inflation and CPI changes.

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics overview of the 2011-12 financial year, the Australian economy saw a 3.4 per cent growth rate.

Real net national disposable income also experienced a positive shift, with a 4.3 per cent increase, mainly due to a minor rise in terms of trade by 0.6 per cent.

This was in contrast to the previous year’s significant increase of 20.5 per cent.

The Household saving ratio also slightly improved, reaching 10.8 per cent in 2011-12, compared to 10.7 per cent in the previous year. Furthermore, there was a 2.9 per cent increase in market sector labour productivity.

Originally published as ‘Vintage’ Woolworths receipt found in a coat pocket reveals sad truth