The second CHOICE Quarterly Report on Supermarket Prices initiated by the Albanese Government has been released today, providing facts to consumers about where to find cheaper prices.
Funded for three years by the Albanese Labor Government, the CHOICE Report gives Australians accurate data on how to get the cheapest groceries.
To compile the Report, CHOICE visited 104 stores across Australia including Aldi, Coles, Woolworths and IGA.
The report found that Aldi once again had the cheapest basket of goods, with the price of CHOICE’s basket falling from the previous quarter.
The Albanese Government is taking a range of actions to make sure Australians are paying a fair price at the checkout and Australian suppliers are getting a fair price for their goods.
This follows the ACCC announcing legal action against Coles and Woolworths for misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.
This week the Albanese Government also released the draft mandatory Food and Grocery Code for consultation, which will mean supermarkets could face significant penalties if found to be in breach of the Code.
Actions the Government is Taking to Hold Supermarkets to Account:
- Commissioning the ACCC to investigate competition in the supermarket sector to get better prices for shoppers.
- Introducing legislation to make the Food and Grocery Code mandatory, making big supermarkets subject to multi-million-dollar penalties for serious breaches of the Code.
- Funding CHOICE reports for another three years, with the next due in December 2024, in time for Christmas.
- Progressing the most significant merger reforms in Australia in almost 50 years.
- Working with the states and territories to revitalise National Competition Policy.
Report Findings - The Cost of an Average Basket of Groceries Nation Wide:
- Aldi: $50.79 (with and without specials)
- Woolworths: $68.70 (without specials), $68.37 (with specials)
- Coles: $69.91 (without specials), $66.22 (with specials)
- IGA: $78.95 (with specials)
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:
“We know Australians are under pressure and we’re working every day to help.
“Our cost of living help is about getting wages up for workers, bringing costs down for households and getting inflation back to where it should be.
“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.
“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.”
Quotes attributable to Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury Andrew Leigh:
“The Government’s economic plan is all about easing the cost of living for Australians.
“CHOICE’s team of shadow shoppers are helping Australians get the best deal at the checkout. With many consumers feeling the pinch, these results provide hard evidence on prices across the nation.
“The Australian Government is committed to delivering the information that will help shoppers save money and deliver more supermarket competition.
“We want a supermarket sector that’s fairer for farmers, and fairer for families.”