ALDI's price prowess: Switching from Woolworths saves ‘small fortune’ for this Aussie shopper

In the age-old debate of where to find the best grocery bargains, one Australian shopper has cast her vote, claiming a significant saving by switching from Woolworths to ALDI.

As the cost of living soars, every penny counts, and for Ella Victoria, the decision to change her shopping habits has led to what she describes as a ‘small fortune’ in savings.


Ella, like many Australians, had been a regular Woolworths customer but noticed her online grocery bills were getting ‘really expensive’.

In an effort to tighten her purse strings, she decided to give ALDI a try and was pleasantly surprised to find that her weekly shop was consistently cheaper.

While this might not seem like a huge difference at first glance, when you add it up over the course of a year, it's a potential saving of around $1,000.

‘Overall, I saved about $10 to $20 when shopping at ALDI. Honestly, I thought it would be even more savings than that,’ Ella shared.


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Ella Victoria discovered substantial savings by switching from Woolworths to ALDI, potentially saving up to $1000 annually. Credits: Shutterstock


Several people concurred that they typically save about $20 per shopping trip at ALDI.

‘My shop at ALDI is about $160ish, whereas, at Woolies, it’s $200+,’ one shopper commented.

This is no small change, especially for those in their golden years who want to maximise their savings without compromising on quality of life.

Let's take a closer look at some of the price comparisons that Ella noted:
  • Frozen chicken schnitzel: ALDI priced at $4.99 compared to Woolworths at $8.50
  • Chicken tenderloins: ALDI at $11.15, Woolworths at $13
  • Eggs: ALDI at $5.19, Woolworths at $6.50
  • Spudlite potatoes: ALDI at $4.99, Woolworths at $6

It's not just Woolworths shoppers who noticed the difference.

A former Coles customer also shared that she saved more than $70 on her weekly shop by switching to ALDI.

‘Today, we compared ALDI VS Coles for our usual weekly shop. We compared basic items for time to get the closest match. ALDI was $158.71. Coles was $230.38 using the usual home brand and on special items,’ she explained.


However, it's important to note that not all comparisons are straightforward.

Some shoppers stated that loyalty rewards or specials from Woolworths or Coles weren't considered in these comparisons.

Others mentioned that they couldn't get everything they needed from ALDI.

‘There's no doubt that ALDI is cheaper. It's a fact. But not for everything, and I don't know a single person who could do a full family shop from there,’ one pointed out.


Professor Gary Mortimer, an expert in Marketing and Consumer Behaviour, offered a balanced view.

He acknowledged that shoppers can indeed save money at ALDI, but this comes with a trade-off, which makes it unfair to compare.

‘Yes, you can save if you shop purely at ALDI, but there is a cost for that saving, and that cost is that you forgo range and choice,’ he explained.

‘If you want to buy Coca-Cola, Cadbury Chocolate, and some of the bigger brands that you normally buy at a supermarket, you’re not going to get that at ALDI, but you will get it at Coles, Woolworths or IGA.’

‘If you are comparing branded products with generic private-label products, then that is not entirely fair. But if you are comparing like for like, then yes, it is,’ Professor Mortimer added.


Professor Mortimer attributed ALDI's low prices to its global buying power. Additionally, factors such as the limited range, smaller store size, efficient register processes, and shelf-ready packaging all contribute to cost savings for the supermarket, ultimately benefiting customers.

‘We tend to think that ALDI has around 600 stores in Australia; it doesn't. It has 10,000 stores globally. So when ALDI buys tin tuna, it’s not buying for 600 stores, it’s buying for 10,000 stores globally, he explained.

‘Having less range means that they are buying a lot of one or two items rather than smaller volumes of lots of items.’


As ALDI continues to attract shoppers with its reputation for significant savings, recent reports highlighted the shock of customers who find themselves spending less than expected after switching from traditional supermarkets like Woolworths.

This underscores the growing trend of savvy shoppers turning to ALDI to slash their grocery bills.

One mother, in particular, managed to save $100 off her weekly groceries by shopping at ALDI, showcasing the tangible benefits of embracing the ALDI model.

These stories reflect the broader appeal of ALDI's low prices and highlight the strategies individuals are adopting to make the most of their grocery budgets.
Key Takeaways
  • An ALDI shopper, Ella Victoria, found significant savings by switching from Woolworths to ALDI, potentially saving up to $1000 a year.
  • While not a massive saving per shop, the smaller amounts add up over time to a notable yearly saving for dedicated ALDI customers.
  • Another customer reported a more substantial saving of over $70 when comparing a typical weekly shop at ALDI to Coles.
  • Despite the savings, Professor Gary Mortimer pointed out that the comparison between supermarket brands and ALDI's own brands might not be entirely fair, as ALDI offers a limited range and does not always carry well-known branded products.
Have you made the switch to ALDI, or do you prefer sticking with Woolworths or Coles? What are your tips for saving on the weekly shop? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!
 
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I haven't purchased potatoes from Woolworths or Coles for decades. The local grocery store sells most fruit and vegetables and much lower prices, particularly potatoes which are usually about 1/5 (one fifth) the price of Woolworths. The exception is grapes and strawberries, which are usually more expensive at the grocery's. It pays to compare prices.
I look out for discounts at Woolworths and Coles, then buy multiple items to make use of the discounts. However, beware, store them carefully. I bulk purchased oat products and the mice had a party at my expense. Never again - I plastic bin everything now.
For your information: Mice may eat cheese, but prefer peanut butter. Peanut butter is also much easier to add to mouse traps, humane or otherwise AND No! Peppermint is NOT a deterrent.
 
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Aldis is definitely cheaper overall (for now) I suspect they will catch the same disease as the big two, I used to buy the crumpets from aldies when they were $1 versus Coles and woolies $3 but now they seem to be catching up, still cheaper so now I only buy one pack, The brands they sell are not well known in Aust yet but o'seas they are well known ..and good. I find a few brands not to my liking but most as good as any, the only thing I dont like with Aldies is no bags, but then Coles and woolies have copied that (I refuse to BUY bags)so I limit my shopping what I can carry or bring my own, they say its for conservative reasons but it saves them millions p.a ,what about all their other packaging,,Brilliant move the most profitable line they carry now is paper bags at 1000% mark up genius.Check out the local tip and see how many Coles and woolies bags which take 10 times as long to break down as the old bags, also the old bags were useful and reduced flies, as second use was for certain waste was sealed as well as in the bin
 
People have been saying to shop at Aldi for ages. I do a 160km round trip and still save. Our local IGA is by far the most expensive supermarket with price as much as 20% higher than Coles and WW.
 
I've used Aldi for all my groceries and have saves 000,s.
Don't buy their fruit or vegetables as I find them sub-standard... they do not last like the stuff the I buy from the local greengrocer which is much cheaper as well.
I don't buy from the center of the store, except clothes, as the stuff the sell does not last. Especially electrical.
Does anyone look at expiry dates or wonder why Aldi is cheaper . You say the fruit and veg are sub-standard also electric goods no good so what does that say about the food?
 
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In Perth, we have The Good Grocer right next door. Open 24 hours but charge like wounded . Last night I picked up an IGA catalogue from there and found that some specials were dearer than the Big 2's regular price.

IGA = I GOUGE AGGRESSIVELY!
believe it or not Veg IGA is actually cheaper than the others. Now I do get cattle dogs (catalogues) delivered I do read and compare the prices. eg. Bundy grown tomatoes $4.50k was at Coles as I'd been to KMART, same tomatoes, same weight, $10,50
 
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I was dead against ALDI, but my wife insisted and changed a couple of years ago, I had to eat my words. Massive savings if you are prepared to buy mainly no name brands. I have found that many of these brands you cannot tell from the name brands, and in fact are probably made by them. However, there will still be some things you just cannot get at Aldi, and therefore need to revert to other supermarkets for those items. But overall, changing to ALDI has been a big win for us. The more people that do this, the more pressure there will be on Coles. Woolworths, Drakes and IGA to cut their prices. In my opinion, Vote with your feet and change to ALDI.
 
I also have switched on some items to Aldi. For example, cat food and cleaning products and long life milk. I am not a brand loyal person and if I can save money I will. However, Aldi does not stock everything I need nor do they deliver which would probably put the cost up. The problem is that I have to get someone to take me to Aldi's.
My cat won't eat the Aldi cat food. I had to go back to what she would eat.
 
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Fancy that. We all want to shop for everything in one supermarket. Anybody ever bothered to question that paradigm of shopping in Australia? It is why your butcher, baker and greengrocer have all gone out of business and we have the infamous duopoly of price-gougers.

And pay with plastic cards; and that is why the banks are starting to screw us. Who put the con in convenience? We did!
Price gouging? Really? Ha ha Brisbane market price last Friday for ginger $1.20-2.50 kg but Coles was $27 kg at Innisfail. We don't have Aldi unfortunately.
 
From what I have seen, the main difference between Aldi and the other Supermarkets is that by forgoing the branded products we are used too and only buying Aldi's own products a substantial saving can be made, providing you manage to get through the special buys isle without being tempted! I will only buy Aldi cleaning products now, especially laundry items, I have made some great savings by switching to Aldi's own products and very rarely find that those products are inferior, admittedly you will not find 101 different brands of the same sort of product but really how many do you need, sometimes too many choices can be confusing. I think that most of us are creatures of habit and that we automatically reach for the same brands all the time when shopping; by looking at similar products by a different name and changing our buying habits we can save $$$ each time we shop, I know that I have.
 
Aldis is definitely cheaper overall (for now) I suspect they will catch the same disease as the big two, I used to buy the crumpets from aldies when they were $1 versus Coles and woolies $3 but now they seem to be catching up, still cheaper so now I only buy one pack, The brands they sell are not well known in Aust yet but o'seas they are well known ..and good. I find a few brands not to my liking but most as good as any, the only thing I dont like with Aldies is no bags, but then Coles and woolies have copied that (I refuse to BUY bags)so I limit my shopping what I can carry or bring my own, they say its for conservative reasons but it saves them millions p.a ,what about all their other packaging,,Brilliant move the most profitable line they carry now is paper bags at 1000% mark up genius.Check out the local tip and see how many Coles and woolies bags which take 10 times as long to break down as the old bags, also the old bags were useful and reduced flies, as second use was for certain waste was sealed as well as in the bin
I too save so much going to Aldi. At least $20 pw on some that are now my favourites. But also check the ads at Coles and get them $2 delivered. Sometimes have to buy multiples to get to the $50 minimum but then the specials are in the cupboard
 
I use American Express credit card - Aldi doesn't accept it; I use online shopping - ALdi doesn't do that either. So if you add the cost of petrol, temptation of the special buys aisle and having to find another credit card, total cost probably works out the same as any of the other supermarkets. As the article said - it's not really comparing like for like. There are other things that need to be taken in to account.
American Express costs me annual
Fee. I use a local bank debit card fee free. Only put $500 in
that account as I use it for internet payments as well and if they scam me that’s all they get.
 
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My cat won't eat the Aldi cat food. I had to go back to what she would eat.
Mine will only eat some of theirs, mouse, pate and souffle. She seems to like the consistency. Mind you she does get her veterinary prescribed dental biscuits which make up for the cost saved at Aldi.;)
 
Fancy that. We all want to shop for everything in one supermarket. Anybody ever bothered to question that paradigm of shopping in Australia? It is why your butcher, baker and greengrocer have all gone out of business and we have the infamous duopoly of price-gougers.

And pay with plastic cards; and that is why the banks are starting to screw us. Who put the con in convenience? We did!
What's plastic cards have to do with it, you don't pay fees at W and C and use a Debit Card at Aldi, again no fee.
 
I now shop at Aldi's and find their frozen items like prawn cutlets etc kievs etc much cheaper...overall my shop is a lot cheaper
 
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From what I have seen, the main difference between Aldi and the other Supermarkets is that by forgoing the branded products we are used too and only buying Aldi's own products a substantial saving can be made, providing you manage to get through the special buys isle without being tempted! I will only buy Aldi cleaning products now, especially laundry items, I have made some great savings by switching to Aldi's own products and very rarely find that those products are inferior, admittedly you will not find 101 different brands of the same sort of product but really how many do you need, sometimes too many choices can be confusing. I think that most of us are creatures of habit and that we automatically reach for the same brands all the time when shopping; by looking at similar products by a different name and changing our buying habits we can save $$$ each time we shop, I know that I have.
Ii agree with everything you said.
I get 95% of my shopping at Aldi and only pick up the odd thing at Coles or Woolies,mainly Nescafe Hazelnut sachets (bulk buy when half price or the large box, on the bottom shelf if I happen to run out,) husband likes only Suimin Braised Beef noodles and Birchmores Cordial).
Have finally convinced most of my family to do the same. They were really surprised how much
they saved.
 

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