As inflation soars and interest rates rise in Australia, many families are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.

Consumer champion CHOICE is now questioning whether the country's two biggest supermarkets—Coles and Woolworths—are taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed shoppers.

CHOICE, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group, has been recognising the worst products and services each year through its annual Shonky awards since 2006.

It aims to name (and sometimes, shame) the companies that have disappointed consumers or not provided value for money.

Coles and Woolworths were awarded the Shonky Award for 2023. Credit: CHOICE

This year, Coles and Woolworths received the dubious honour. While both supermarkets have seen billions in profits, many shoppers have said they aren't doing enough to keep food costs low.

‘While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they’re supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background, they’ve been banking huge profits,’ Alan Kirkland, CHOICE Chief Executive, explained.

A CHOICE survey in September found that 60 per cent of shoppers believed the supermarkets are 'making a lot of money from price hikes'.

The same survey also revealed that there is a growing concern among Australians about the rising prices of food items.

It turns out that 88 per cent of the respondents are worried about the cost of food and groceries, which is the highest percentage reported so far. It is noteworthy that this percentage has been steadily increasing since January 2021, when it was only 56 per cent.

Woolworths Group, which owns the largest supermarket chain in Australia, reported a $1.62 billion profit in August. Meanwhile, Coles Group, the owner of the country's second-largest supermarket chain, announced an annual profit of $1.1 billion.

Mr Kirkland said: ‘Coles and Woolies putting their own interests, and the interests of their profits, ahead of the interests of their customers. They are well and truly deserving of a Shonky award.’

A Woolworths spokesperson shared that the company is ‘acutely aware’ of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on Australian families.

They explained that they have several initiatives for their customers.

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

On the other hand, a Coles spokesperson stated that they reduced the price of hundreds of products in the past few months.

‘This ensures we can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8,000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and continue to invest in value for the millions of customers who visit our stores every week.’

Last year, the consumer group awarded the Shonky Award to Qantas after the airline had been accused of a series of failings, including unusable credits, delayed flights, lost baggage, and lengthy call wait times.

CHOICE Travel Expert Jodi Bird remarked last year: ‘If there was ever a company that appeared to deliberately be going out of its way to win a Shonky award, it’s Qantas.’

You can read more about last year’s Shonky Awards here.

If you want to know other Shonky Awards winners for 2023, you can visit CHOICE’s website here.

You can watch ABC News’ coverage of the Shonky Awards here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Coles and Woolworths have been named and shamed by consumer advocates CHOICE for purportedly capitalising on a cost-of-living crisis and recording massive profits.
  
• The two supermarkets were honoured with CHOICE’s Shonky awards, which recognise the year's worst products and services.
  
• The supermarkets responded, emphasising their efforts to keep prices low and provide value to customers while supporting local businesses and communities.
  

What do you think about this year’s Shonky Awards, members? Do you agree with CHOICE’s selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

 

[Leenie]

Totally agree.

 

[sharkfin1]

As inflation soars and interest rates rise in Australia, many families are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.

Consumer champion CHOICE is now questioning whether the country's two biggest supermarkets—Coles and Woolworths—are taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed shoppers.

CHOICE, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group, has been recognising the worst products and services each year through its annual Shonky awards since 2006.

It aims to name (and sometimes, shame) the companies that have disappointed consumers or not provided value for money.

View attachment 33700

Coles and Woolworths were awarded the Shonky Award for 2023. Credit: CHOICE

This year, Coles and Woolworths received the dubious honour. While both supermarkets have seen billions in profits, many shoppers have said they aren't doing enough to keep food costs low.

‘While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they’re supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background, they’ve been banking huge profits,’ Alan Kirkland, CHOICE Chief Executive, explained.

A CHOICE survey in September found that 60 per cent of shoppers believed the supermarkets are 'making a lot of money from price hikes'.

The same survey also revealed that there is a growing concern among Australians about the rising prices of food items.

It turns out that 88 per cent of the respondents are worried about the cost of food and groceries, which is the highest percentage reported so far. It is noteworthy that this percentage has been steadily increasing since January 2021, when it was only 56 per cent.

Woolworths Group, which owns the largest supermarket chain in Australia, reported a $1.62 billion profit in August. Meanwhile, Coles Group, the owner of the country's second-largest supermarket chain, announced an annual profit of $1.1 billion.

Mr Kirkland said: ‘Coles and Woolies putting their own interests, and the interests of their profits, ahead of the interests of their customers. They are well and truly deserving of a Shonky award.’

A Woolworths spokesperson shared that the company is ‘acutely aware’ of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on Australian families.

They explained that they have several initiatives for their customers.

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

On the other hand, a Coles spokesperson stated that they reduced the price of hundreds of products in the past few months.

‘This ensures we can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8,000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and continue to invest in value for the millions of customers who visit our stores every week.’

Last year, the consumer group awarded the Shonky Award to Qantas after the airline had been accused of a series of failings, including unusable credits, delayed flights, lost baggage, and lengthy call wait times.

CHOICE Travel Expert Jodi Bird remarked last year: ‘If there was ever a company that appeared to deliberately be going out of its way to win a Shonky award, it’s Qantas.’

You can read more about last year’s Shonky Awards here.

If you want to know other Shonky Awards winners for 2023, you can visit CHOICE’s website here.

You can watch ABC News’ coverage of the Shonky Awards here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Coles and Woolworths have been named and shamed by consumer advocates CHOICE for purportedly capitalising on a cost-of-living crisis and recording massive profits.
• The two supermarkets were honoured with CHOICE’s Shonky awards, which recognise the year's worst products and services.
• The supermarkets responded, emphasising their efforts to keep prices low and provide value to customers while supporting local businesses and communities.

What do you think about this year’s Shonky Awards, members? Do you agree with CHOICE’s selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

It's funny how American companies like Woolworths and Coles can make Billions of dollars in profit and underpay their staff but can't put food prices down just goes to show the greed these companies will go to

 

[NotNats]

As inflation soars and interest rates rise in Australia, many families are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.

Consumer champion CHOICE is now questioning whether the country's two biggest supermarkets—Coles and Woolworths—are taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed shoppers.

CHOICE, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group, has been recognising the worst products and services each year through its annual Shonky awards since 2006.

It aims to name (and sometimes, shame) the companies that have disappointed consumers or not provided value for money.

View attachment 33700

Coles and Woolworths were awarded the Shonky Award for 2023. Credit: CHOICE

This year, Coles and Woolworths received the dubious honour. While both supermarkets have seen billions in profits, many shoppers have said they aren't doing enough to keep food costs low.

‘While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they’re supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background, they’ve been banking huge profits,’ Alan Kirkland, CHOICE Chief Executive, explained.

A CHOICE survey in September found that 60 per cent of shoppers believed the supermarkets are 'making a lot of money from price hikes'.

The same survey also revealed that there is a growing concern among Australians about the rising prices of food items.

It turns out that 88 per cent of the respondents are worried about the cost of food and groceries, which is the highest percentage reported so far. It is noteworthy that this percentage has been steadily increasing since January 2021, when it was only 56 per cent.

Woolworths Group, which owns the largest supermarket chain in Australia, reported a $1.62 billion profit in August. Meanwhile, Coles Group, the owner of the country's second-largest supermarket chain, announced an annual profit of $1.1 billion.

Mr Kirkland said: ‘Coles and Woolies putting their own interests, and the interests of their profits, ahead of the interests of their customers. They are well and truly deserving of a Shonky award.’

A Woolworths spokesperson shared that the company is ‘acutely aware’ of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on Australian families.

They explained that they have several initiatives for their customers.

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

On the other hand, a Coles spokesperson stated that they reduced the price of hundreds of products in the past few months.

‘This ensures we can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8,000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and continue to invest in value for the millions of customers who visit our stores every week.’

Last year, the consumer group awarded the Shonky Award to Qantas after the airline had been accused of a series of failings, including unusable credits, delayed flights, lost baggage, and lengthy call wait times.

CHOICE Travel Expert Jodi Bird remarked last year: ‘If there was ever a company that appeared to deliberately be going out of its way to win a Shonky award, it’s Qantas.’

You can read more about last year’s Shonky Awards here.

If you want to know other Shonky Awards winners for 2023, you can visit CHOICE’s website here.

You can watch ABC News’ coverage of the Shonky Awards here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Coles and Woolworths have been named and shamed by consumer advocates CHOICE for purportedly capitalising on a cost-of-living crisis and recording massive profits.
• The two supermarkets were honoured with CHOICE’s Shonky awards, which recognise the year's worst products and services.
• The supermarkets responded, emphasising their efforts to keep prices low and provide value to customers while supporting local businesses and communities.

What do you think about this year’s Shonky Awards, members? Do you agree with CHOICE’s selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Query - I want to know if the so-called PROFIT is before or after all running costs & TAX have been taken out. As I have known other business that can show a massive profit but when they balance it against the Tax & all running costs of that same year they have actually been running at a loss.

 

[IJH]

It's funny how American companies like Woolworths and Coles can make Billions of dollars in profit and underpay their staff but can't put food prices down just goes to show the greed these companies will go to

Coles and Woolworths are Australian Companies!

 

[David567]

I recently read that Coles claims they only make $2.60 for every $100 of sales. I think it might be $2.60 per item as many of the discount shops sell the same items for up to half the price of Coles and Woolies.
Wake up Coles and Woolies. Customers are not that stupid to beleive your BS. Profits comes first and customers last. It has to change.

 

[June E]

Well deserved Shonky Awards !! A lot of other big businesses also deserved this award.

 

[oilsfromoz]

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

Biggest load of weasel words!

 

[Les Brett]

I know that all business needs to make a profit to keep their doors open. They employ people, who pay tax, I don’t mind that, but making misleading Ads, and increasing prices, to make excessive profits is taking advantage of everyone. We have allowed large companies to take over by not supporting small business. Whilst it may not be fair, we now find ourselves at the mercy of these large companies.

 

[Littleboy8]

Coles and Woolworths are Australian Companies!

Sure are why do people keep saying there either sth African or American where do they get this misinformation from.

 

[Observer]

Well deserved Shonky Awards !! A lot of other big businesses also deserved this award.

To be honest, I had never heard of Shonky Awards until now. I think it is hilarious.

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

Shonky Awards have been around quite some years and I think the concreter we have working at the moment in the backyard should have one too. Messy work , does not value people’s property , using our hose on the concrete and used our wheel barrow for concrete . Used my 20 L Bunnings Bucket and now that is broken too. Also used our spade for concrete and does not clean up his mess . .

 

[Clancieblue]

Small MY Dog can Woolies $1.70 ----Aldi $1.10. What rewards?

 

[elchapo]

As inflation soars and interest rates rise in Australia, many families are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.

Consumer champion CHOICE is now questioning whether the country's two biggest supermarkets—Coles and Woolworths—are taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed shoppers.

CHOICE, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group, has been recognising the worst products and services each year through its annual Shonky awards since 2006.

It aims to name (and sometimes, shame) the companies that have disappointed consumers or not provided value for money.

View attachment 33700

Coles and Woolworths were awarded the Shonky Award for 2023. Credit: CHOICE

This year, Coles and Woolworths received the dubious honour. While both supermarkets have seen billions in profits, many shoppers have said they aren't doing enough to keep food costs low.

‘While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they’re supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background, they’ve been banking huge profits,’ Alan Kirkland, CHOICE Chief Executive, explained.

A CHOICE survey in September found that 60 per cent of shoppers believed the supermarkets are 'making a lot of money from price hikes'.

The same survey also revealed that there is a growing concern among Australians about the rising prices of food items.

It turns out that 88 per cent of the respondents are worried about the cost of food and groceries, which is the highest percentage reported so far. It is noteworthy that this percentage has been steadily increasing since January 2021, when it was only 56 per cent.

Woolworths Group, which owns the largest supermarket chain in Australia, reported a $1.62 billion profit in August. Meanwhile, Coles Group, the owner of the country's second-largest supermarket chain, announced an annual profit of $1.1 billion.

Mr Kirkland said: ‘Coles and Woolies putting their own interests, and the interests of their profits, ahead of the interests of their customers. They are well and truly deserving of a Shonky award.’

A Woolworths spokesperson shared that the company is ‘acutely aware’ of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on Australian families.

They explained that they have several initiatives for their customers.

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

On the other hand, a Coles spokesperson stated that they reduced the price of hundreds of products in the past few months.

‘This ensures we can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8,000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and continue to invest in value for the millions of customers who visit our stores every week.’

Last year, the consumer group awarded the Shonky Award to Qantas after the airline had been accused of a series of failings, including unusable credits, delayed flights, lost baggage, and lengthy call wait times.

CHOICE Travel Expert Jodi Bird remarked last year: ‘If there was ever a company that appeared to deliberately be going out of its way to win a Shonky award, it’s Qantas.’

You can read more about last year’s Shonky Awards here.

If you want to know other Shonky Awards winners for 2023, you can visit CHOICE’s website here.

You can watch ABC News’ coverage of the Shonky Awards here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Coles and Woolworths have been named and shamed by consumer advocates CHOICE for purportedly capitalising on a cost-of-living crisis and recording massive profits.
• The two supermarkets were honoured with CHOICE’s Shonky awards, which recognise the year's worst products and services.
• The supermarkets responded, emphasising their efforts to keep prices low and provide value to customers while supporting local businesses and communities.

What do you think about this year’s Shonky Awards, members? Do you agree with CHOICE’s selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Remember when a litre carton of Woolworths full cream milk used to cost $1.00, but now is at $1.60, 60% more?????

 

[Aussie all the Way]

And if they hadn't of WON this Award I would be wondering WHY, because to make RECORD profits you have to be putting your prices up way over the reality of what they really need to be, nobody would say a word if they were just making their normal profit BUT when you come out with RECORD PROFITS YOU KNOW SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG. SHAME ON BOTH THE BIG SUPERMARKETS for ripping off their customers, thats how little you mean to them, you are just a way for them to make their HUGE profit. Things have NOT GONE UP BY CENTS they are going up by DOLLARS. SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME SHAME.

 

[Mina vriesekolk]

A good idea is buy your fruit and vegetables from the farmer’s markets , so much cheaper . They still have bananas for $ 2.- a kg . At Aldi they were still $4.49 per kg. This week.

 

[Bridgit]

Query - I want to know if the so-called PROFIT is before or after all running costs & TAX have been taken out. As I have known other business that can show a massive profit but when they balance it against the Tax & all running costs of that same year they have actually been running at a loss.

I think you will find it is Gross Profit - yes Net Profit would be vastly different and most would not be aware of that small detail.

 

[Loubeauxarts]

Sure are why do people keep saying there either sth African or American where do they get this misinformation from.

These are also the same people who consistently claim to only shop at ALDI (German) or Costco (American)
Go figure

 

[Tylon R]

Small MY Dog can Woolies $1.70 ----Aldi $1.10. What rewards?

If you look closely, small MY Dog is 100g can in Woolworths but it's 85g at ALDI, sneaky trick from ALDI.

 

[wattorjw]

As inflation soars and interest rates rise in Australia, many families are feeling the pinch of the cost-of-living crisis.

Consumer champion CHOICE is now questioning whether the country's two biggest supermarkets—Coles and Woolworths—are taking unfair advantage of hard-pressed shoppers.

CHOICE, a not-for-profit consumer advocacy group, has been recognising the worst products and services each year through its annual Shonky awards since 2006.

It aims to name (and sometimes, shame) the companies that have disappointed consumers or not provided value for money.

View attachment 33700

Coles and Woolworths were awarded the Shonky Award for 2023. Credit: CHOICE

This year, Coles and Woolworths received the dubious honour. While both supermarkets have seen billions in profits, many shoppers have said they aren't doing enough to keep food costs low.

‘While Coles and Woolies have been promoting how they’re supposedly helping with the cost of living, in the background, they’ve been banking huge profits,’ Alan Kirkland, CHOICE Chief Executive, explained.

A CHOICE survey in September found that 60 per cent of shoppers believed the supermarkets are 'making a lot of money from price hikes'.

The same survey also revealed that there is a growing concern among Australians about the rising prices of food items.

It turns out that 88 per cent of the respondents are worried about the cost of food and groceries, which is the highest percentage reported so far. It is noteworthy that this percentage has been steadily increasing since January 2021, when it was only 56 per cent.

Woolworths Group, which owns the largest supermarket chain in Australia, reported a $1.62 billion profit in August. Meanwhile, Coles Group, the owner of the country's second-largest supermarket chain, announced an annual profit of $1.1 billion.

Mr Kirkland said: ‘Coles and Woolies putting their own interests, and the interests of their profits, ahead of the interests of their customers. They are well and truly deserving of a Shonky award.’

A Woolworths spokesperson shared that the company is ‘acutely aware’ of the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on Australian families.

They explained that they have several initiatives for their customers.

‘We know there’s more to do, and that’s why we’ll continue to invest in the future, whether that’s support for our team, creating jobs, investing in communities and paying fair prices to the thousands of businesses (both large and small) we work with across the country,’ they shared.

On the other hand, a Coles spokesperson stated that they reduced the price of hundreds of products in the past few months.

‘This ensures we can continue to employ more than 120,000 Australians, partner with more than 8,000 suppliers and farmers, support local communities and continue to invest in value for the millions of customers who visit our stores every week.’

Last year, the consumer group awarded the Shonky Award to Qantas after the airline had been accused of a series of failings, including unusable credits, delayed flights, lost baggage, and lengthy call wait times.

CHOICE Travel Expert Jodi Bird remarked last year: ‘If there was ever a company that appeared to deliberately be going out of its way to win a Shonky award, it’s Qantas.’

You can read more about last year’s Shonky Awards here.

If you want to know other Shonky Awards winners for 2023, you can visit CHOICE’s website here.

You can watch ABC News’ coverage of the Shonky Awards here:

​

Key Takeaways

• Coles and Woolworths have been named and shamed by consumer advocates CHOICE for purportedly capitalising on a cost-of-living crisis and recording massive profits.
• The two supermarkets were honoured with CHOICE’s Shonky awards, which recognise the year's worst products and services.
• The supermarkets responded, emphasising their efforts to keep prices low and provide value to customers while supporting local businesses and communities.

What do you think about this year’s Shonky Awards, members? Do you agree with CHOICE’s selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Qantas deserve the number 1 shonky position again with woolworth and coles a close 2nd and third they fool nobdy with their false claims they are profeteering on the back of struggling aussies shonks and shylocks