Break habits and save money by switching supermarkets

ALDI’s new research has revealed as many as 8.8 million Aussies say they have an old shopping habit they can break and it would help them save money.

As many as 8.8 million Aussies say they have inherited their parents’ grocery shopping behaviours when it comes to selecting a supermarket. But sticking with this habit may be costing them money.

New research from ALDI Australia shows 59 per cent of Australians are looking to switch their services to save money in the next 12 months, but only 21 per cent are thinking of changing their supermarket.

Just one in 10 (9 per cent) say they have already switched supermarkets while one in five (19 per cent) are reluctant to switch supermarkets, believing the savings aren’t worth it.

For those who have been chasing savings, 78 per cent of surveyed respondents say have changed how they shop in the past 12 months, with many shopping around for deals more regularly (36 per cent), comparing prices before they shop (34 per cent), and doing a “big shop” for groceries less frequently than usual – for example once fortnightly (26 per cent).

Jason Ch’ng has been a “set and forget” shopper for most of his life, but is now making conscious changes in the way he shops to save money.

Jason Ch’ng of Melbourne with his family.

The IT worker from Fraser Rise in Melbourne says he recently switched supermarkets to see if he could cut the food bill for his family of four.

“With the increasing cost-of-living pressures, I was just trying new things to save where I can,” he says.

Ch’ng, 39, says he has started shopping around and purchasing groceries twice a week instead of one big shop. He budgets $280 a week for food but recently added ALDI at the start of his shopping routine and says he has saved about 10 per cent – which allows him to continue a small working-from-home indulgence.

“I love getting a freshly made barista coffee, and I know it’s a treat but it’s one thing I really don’t want to give it up,” he explains.

Ch’ng says he has inherited his parents’ drive for finding quality food that is value for money, including frozen vegetables and cheaper cuts of meats that can be used slow cooked in curries.

Grocery costs continue to be a dominant part of Australian family budgets, with Australian Bureau of Statistics data showing we spent $11.4bn at the supermarket in November 2022.

February data from Finder’s Consumer Sentiment Tracker shows the average Aussie household spends $185 per week on groceries, with men ($189) spending slightly more on their supermarket shop than women ($174).

Finder research has found consumers’ preferences are unchanged since 2021. Picture: iStock

Between the generations, Gen Y households pay the most for their weekly shop ($197), followed by Gen X ($187) and Gen Z ($186). Baby Boomers keep their costs lower, spending an average of $149 per household a week.

The Finder research has found consumers’ preferences are unchanged since 2021. Woolworths is still the nation’s favourite supermarket, with 48 per cent of Australians doing their primary shop with the fresh food people. This is closely followed by Coles (39 per cent). A further 10 per cent say Aldi is their supermarket of choice, while 2 per cent opt for IGA.

Jordan Lack, managing director of ALDI Australia, says being creatures of habit could be costing some families dearly and he encourages them to shop around.

“Every Australian can save on their grocery bill week-in, week-out. We understand that there may be items you occasionally need to get elsewhere, we say go for it – however, starting your shopping at ALDI will be worth the extra savings.”

Originally published as Break habits and save money by switching supermarkets