Mapped: The supermarkets that are ripping you off in your state

From meat, to fruit, vegetables and even garlic, consumer group CHOICE has revealed how the four major chains compared in price to improve supermarket transparency across the country. SEE THE MAP

Consumer group CHOICE has released the results of its latest quarterly, government-funded report on supermarket prices across the country. Source: Choice.

Consumers stocking up on basic items and popular winter staples are being slugged almost $15 more each week depending on where they shop.

From meat, to fruit, vegetables and even garlic, consumer group CHOICE has revealed how the four major chains compared in the results of its latest quarterly federally-funded report.

The group are in their second year of a $1.1m three-year research program to improve the transparency of supermarket prices across the country.

CHOICE is this year tracking the price of a “base basket” of items including full cream milk, Sanitarium Weetbix, Royal Gala apples, carrots, Cavendish bananas, strawberries and bulk pack chicken breast fillets.

The first March quarter’s basket also surveyed the prices of popular winter staples – vegetable stock, sour cream, drinking chocolate, butternut pumpkin, quick oats, garlic, and onions.

The CHOICE report from the groceries bought at 104 supermarkets in 27 locations across Australia found Aldi had the best basket price of $55.35 for the 14 items at regular prices, followed by Woolworths ($58.92), Coles ($59.22) and IGA ($69.74).

Without specials, it was found Woolworths had the cheapest chicken breasts and pumpkin, Coles had the best deal on apples, IGA customers paid the least for carrots and garlic, while Aldi had the best prices on all other items.

Aldi also rated best when specials were applied.

“Buying items on special can make a significant difference to overall grocery costs, which is why it’s a good idea to shop around,” the report found.

“It’s also worth noting that it isn’t always clear when fruit and vegetables are on special, so we’re comparing regular prices for fresh produce.”

CHOICE has compared the major supermarkets.

The CHOICE basket analysis also found that which state consumers lived in did make a difference at the checkout.

It found New South Wales paid less than other states at Aldi, Woolworths and IGA, while Queenslanders paid less at Coles, based on the average price of the grocery baskets including specials.

“What our findings continue to highlight is that small changes add up to significant savings, particularly over the course of the year,” the report found.

“That doesn’t just mean changing the store you shop at, we also recommend you think creatively and carefully about what you choose to put in your shopping trolley.”

CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva said there were lots of other ways to save on weekly grocery shops.

CHOICE CEO Ashley de Silva. Picture: CHOICE

“Checking the unit pricing, keeping an eye on specials, shopping around, and trying out house brand products can all add up to significant savings,” he said.

An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report into supermarkets, released in March, found Covid-19 and the subsequent cost-of-living crisis resulted in grocery prices surging over the past five years.

The same report failed to find evidence of price gouging but it found Woolworths and Coles were raking in some of the highest profits in the world among their global supermarket peers.

CHOICE will release its next “base basket” prices comparison in September, which will also include a wider variety of new items, and will reflect updated prices from Woolworths who reduced the cost of nearly 400 items in May.

Originally published as Mapped: The supermarkets that are ripping you off in your state