<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>329779</docID> <postdate>2024-09-26 11:43:54</postdate> <headline>Customers urged to ‘do their homework’ on weekly shop</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-329780" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/20131021000814027341-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="668" /></p> <caption>Choice's regular look at supermarket prices found slight changes in the cost of groceries. (Dan Peled/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Kat Wong and Andrew Brown</b> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>There is almost no difference between grocery prices at the two major supermarkets, but research reveals Aldi has separated itself from the pack as the cheapest option for shoppers.</strong></p> <p>An average basket of 14 common household items was $68.70 at Woolworths and $69.91 at Coles, a difference of $1.21, data from consumer group Choice on supermarket prices found.</p> <p>With specials, Coles came out on top at $66.22 while Woolworths prices sat at $68.37 - a $2.15 split that pales in comparison to Aldi, whose groceries cost $50.79 regardless of discounts.</p> <p>However, the Australian Retailers Association says the data lacks transparency as Choice has not specifically named the items analysed in its report.</p> <p>The organisation's chief executive Paul Zahra said the report could be comparing premium brands at Coles and Woolworths to Aldi's private label options and also noted that 14 items amounted to a "very narrow basket" given supermarkets offer thousands of products.</p> <p>"This is not a fair or useful comparison for customers," he said.</p> <p>Mr Zahra maintained it was important for Australians to check prices themselves.</p> <p>"It's important that customers - if they're working to a budget - that they do their homework ," he told the Today show.</p> <p>"Retailers, by nature, will always try to offer value."</p> <p>The findings come in the same week the consumer watchdog announced it was taking Coles and Woolworths to court over allegations it lied to consumers with misleading specials.</p> <p>The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission accused the major supermarkets of increasing prices for a brief period before lowering them and moving them to promotions on sale, but still higher than the initial price.</p> <div class="wire-column__preview__text" id="preview-body"> <p>The Choice report also found slight changes in the cost of groceries in the June quarter, compared with its initial report for the March quarter.</p> <p>Woolworths' basket with specials was $3.44 more expensive compared with the same items three months prior, and at Coles the prices came down $2.30.</p> <p>Aldi's items were 72 cents cheaper than the previous period.</p> <p>The most expensive supermarket was IGA, at $78.95 for the items, but no cost comparison was made due to the second report having a larger sample size at the chain compared to the first one.</p> <p>Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva said specials made a large difference at the checkout.</p> <p>"Choice has previously found supermarket labels are often confusing, making it difficult to tell if there is a true discount on offer or not," he said.</p> <p>"(The report) highlights the importance of clear, simple labelling, that leaves the customer in no doubt about whether a product is actually on special."</p> <p>The Choice reports were funded by the federal government following consumer concerns of price gouging by the major supermarkets.</p> <p>Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the research shed light on deals at the checkout.</p> <p>"Today's Choice report provides important information to consumers, but we know there is more to do and we are committed to taking action to make sure Australians are getting the best deal possible," he said.</p> <p>"We are doing everything we can to ensure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods."</p> <p>The 14 items included in Choice's basket of goods included apples, carrots, Weet-Bix, sliced white bread, flour, penne pasta, sugar, tea bags, tasty cheese, milk, frozen peas, beef mince and butter.</p> <p>A Woolworths spokesperson said its products are competitive with prices at discount retailers and their range was 30 per cent cheaper on average than the brands included in the Choice report.</p> <p>"We remain focused on delivering value for customers and continue to work harder to help them easily find that value when shopping our stores or online," they said.</p> </div> </body>