CHOICE survey reveals cheapest supermarket grocery options for Aussies

Consumer group CHOICE has measured the price of a basket of groceries across Australia’s four big supermarket chains. Here are the results.

New research has revealed which of Australia’s grocery chains offer the cheapest supplies for Aussies this winter.

Consumer group CHOICE recently conducted a detailed survey of 104 supermarkets in 27 locations across the country to identify which stores offered the best prices when it comes to a basket of specific, easy-to-find and commonly purchased groceries.

Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA were assessed on their pricing of standard items like full cream milk, carrots, chicken breast fillets and strawberries, as well as winter staples like drinking chocolate, brown onions and garlic.

The results were as follows:

• Aldi: $55.35
• Woolworths: $58.92
• Coles: $59.92
• IGA: $69.64

CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva. Picture: Supplied

The price of each chain’s basket is updated each quarter.

Aldi is still the cheapest and IGA is still the most expensive, but across the board prices have fluctuated slightly per basket.

CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva said Aldi’s winter-themed items “had the best deal for shoppers looking to keep cosy”.

“Without specials, Woolworths had the cheapest chicken breasts and pumpkin,” Mr de Silva said.

“Coles had the best deals on apples. At IGA, you paid less for carrots and garlic than at the other three supermarkets. For all other products, Aldi is your best bet.”

ALDI wins in prices according to the latest CHOICE survey on grocery baskets. Picture: Supplied

“All up, if you’re planning a hearty porridge breakfast, or wanting a cup of hot chocolate to keep you feeling snug, Aldi should be your first stop.

“But, as always, there are lots of other ways to save on your weekly grocery shop. Checking the unit pricing, keeping an eye on specials, shopping around, and trying out house brand products can all add up to significant savings.”

Independent Tasmanian Senator Tammy Tyrrell said the findings were a win for public pressure on grocery companies.

“Aussies said they were fed up with cowboy behaviour and dodgy deals from major supermarkets,” she said.

“After shining a spotlight on their bad habits, this CHOICE report shows prices between ALDI, Coles and Woolworths are much closer than they were a year ago. It’s a win for standing up to the big guys.”

Senator Tammy Tyrrell has praised CHOICE’s data collection. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Tyrrell wants ALDI to set up shop in her home state.

“Once again, CHOICE shows ALDI has cheaper prices than Coles or Woolies, yet ALDI continues to treat Tasmanians like the poor cousins of our mainland counterparts,” she said.

“We have a lack of supermarket competition, we’re the state with the lowest wages and Tasmanians are paying the price for it – quite literally.

“I’m just a girl, standing in front of an ALDI, asking you to come to Tasmania.”

A Woolworths spokesperson said the company “understand the pressures our customers continue to be under and the need to budget for hearty, warming meals and grocery essentials for their families”.

“Last month, we announced our Lower Shelf Price commitment, which now includes 550 products, up from the nearly 400 products we initially announced as part of the commitment,” the spokesperson said.

“In addition to our competitive prices, we know customers choose us because they can do a full shop from our significantly wider range, with the convenience of things like home delivery and Direct to Boot services... we remain committed to delivering value for our customers every time they shop with us.”

Unlike Woolworths or Coles, IGA stores are independently owned franchises, which is why they feature the names of their franchisees. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

An IGA spokesperson disputed the CHOICE research criteria, saying the consumer group “knowingly compared the pricing of independently owned small local grocers to full range Coles and Woolworths supermarkets”.

“It is disappointing that Choice acknowledges IGA stores surveyed vary widely in range due to their independence and are not of similar size but continue to include their findings regardless,” the spokesperson said.

“It is unhelpful to consumers, Government and regulators who rely on the Choice team to conduct fair, comparable and thorough research.”

The ACCC released a report in March that said that while Australia’s grocery chains were some of the most profitable in the world, they had not engaged in any form of misconduct or price gouging.