Coles most affordable NT supermarket, but Territorians still shop local
Territorians are being cheated of the cheapest supermarket choice, but if you want fresh produce then go local, shoppers say. Find out which supermarket is the most affordable.
The latest data reveals Territorian shoppers are faring well at the supermarket check-out, but they are still without the cheapest option available to other Aussies.
Consumer rights group CHOICE has revealed Coles is the most affordable option in the NT, with the average basket costing shoppers $56.98 — cheaper than every other state except for Queensland and South Australia.
Woolworths is next at $58.40, then IGA at $76.18.
These figures mean the NT is more affordable than the national average for Coles ($57.67) and Woolworths ($58.86), but it is missing the nation’s most affordable choice, ALDI.
CHOICE found the average basket at ALDI costs $54.44.
Nevertheless, ALDI has confirmed it has no immediate plans to branch out to the Territory, despite small regional towns like Whyalla in SA (population: 21,244) and Albany in WA (population: 38,763) boasting their own German supermarket giant.
Retirees Cathy and Peter Whitehead from Darwin CBD said they would “100 per cent” shop at ALDI if there were NT stores.
“We’d even travel to Palmerston if we had to,” Mrs Whitehead said.
But in the meantime, the couple said they’re more than happy to shop local when they’re after fresh quality produce.
The couple said they travelled from the CBD to MD Fresh Produce in Coconut Grove because the produce was better than the major supermarkets.
“It’s fresher and better value for money,” Mrs Whitehead said.
“The staff are much friendlier too.”
Store owner Alexis Kotis said he made an effort to give shoppers the most affordable and best quality produce.
“We employ people in Adelaide to scour the markets to find good quality produce,” Mr Kotis said.
“We also source locally too, like our Asian greens from around Humpty Doo and our watermelons from Katherine.
“This is why we’re cheaper.”
Nightcliff Friendly Grocer is another local store giving the major supermarkets a run for their money.
Multiple shoppers told the NT News they chose to purchase fresh produce from the independent grocer because of the quality.
“The fresh produce is the best here,” George Cevris said.
The Greek-Australian also said Nightcliff Friendly Grocer stocked specialist import products he could not get at the Woolworths down the road.
“I love shopping here,” Caro MacDonald from Parap said.
“The quality is so much higher and I don’t need to plan my shop — I just come in and pick whatever is fresh and on special.
A comparison between the two independent grocers and Coles found the independents were much cheaper when it came to fresh produce, but lagged behind the supermarket juggernaut for other staples, meat and dairy products.
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Originally published as Coles most affordable NT supermarket, but Territorians still shop local
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