We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

 

[riskydave]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

No-one benefits from Super market bargains except the super market. If you go back and see the prices from not so log ago you will find the "Half Price" bargains you are getting today are the same price as the full retail price they were about 12 months or so ago.

 

[peteloo]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

This pricing strategy really catches the unaware. I usually compare unit price when I shop. This removes the other aspect of reducing size/volume to keep price low.

 

[Carol Battye]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

I worked in a shop years ago where leading up to a big sale the Boss would get in boxes of stock and give us a black marker to write on price then a red marker to write a lower price, making it look like a big saving. Not a saving at all. Just the price he wanted to get for the item while making People think they are saving.
you might also notice that after something being on sale it is bumped up more from its original price. The stores are out to make money so they try every trick in the book.

 

[RuthieRalph]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

Last year Woolworths Dynomo 5.4 professional liquid sold for $28 with sales approx every 3 to 4 months sale price $23
3 months ago I had to pay $32.
Yesterday the price has jumped to $42
Super markets are getting outrageous profits and executives massive bonuses
I’m not buying from Big W anymore

 

[mylittletibbies]

Supermarkets continually tell us about their higher costs, to justify the prices, but still they make massive profits, in excess of their profits the previous year.
Inflation is being caused by corporate greed, nothing more, nothing less.
All the mortgage rate hikes will do nothing to cut consumer spending, while people are being FORCED to pay higher prices for everything.
Everybody is jumping on the bandwagon, electricity, gas, food, petrol, insurances, and so it goes on, the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.
Meanwhile, our government is asleep at the wheel, more interested in the Voice, expecting us to vote for something they are telling us nothing about, and spending a fortune of taxpayers money on advertising and still telling us nothing except froth and bubble.
There is an agenda here, and you can bet we, the public, will end up paying for it.
There's plenty you can read about it, you just have to look,. Unfortunately though, the people trying to tell us are being down cried and called conspiracy theorists. I guess we will find out, maybe when it's too late.

 

[oilsfromoz]

The other day, I had this as part of my comment:
"In any case, Woolies (and the others, Coles etc) should be letting their shareholders hurt a little in these tough times where we are all hurting. I can't understand how their prices have risen out of all proportion except to make their massive profits. For instance, 500g Essentials butter was $5.00 a year ago and is now $6.40, a rise of nearly 30% and a packet of Smith's Crisps has shifted from $4.00 to $6.00. Small wonder the RBA has to lift interest rates to compensate for this greed."
And Woolies has the hide to have a "Low Price" sticker on the butter price tag

 

[mylittletibbies]

The other day, I had this as part of my comment:
"In any case, Woolies (and the others, Coles etc) should be letting their shareholders hurt a little in these tough times where we are all hurting. I can't understand how their prices have risen out of all proportion except to make their massive profits. For instance, 500g Essentials butter was $5.00 a year ago and is now $6.40, a rise of nearly 30% and a packet of Smith's Crisps has shifted from $4.00 to $6.00. Small wonder the RBA has to lift interest rates to compensate for this greed."
And Woolies has the hide to have a "Low Price" sticker on the butter price tag

Agree with every word.

 

[Ellabella]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

I bought pants from a popular retailer for $23.99 regular price, then returned for more as I liked them- to find the “SALE PRICE TICKET FOR $25”!!!!

 

[AlanQ]

With inflation around the WORLD running at 8%, AUD dropping so anything from overseas (is purchased in USD, .65c Aussie means a $1 US equated to $1.30+ AUD), put a hold on a price for 3-4 months, why would you not expect the price to jump substantially once the price freeze is removed. Here's an idea, don't shop at a supermarket, see how long your boycott will last. At best, I'd say as long as the milk lasts and you don't want to pay the real cost of a litre of milk from a 'convenience' store.

 

[Roysta]

Both Coles and Woolworths should be researched by the ACCC, price gouging at its best, all of their look at us advertising is a scam, they reduce prices on products that are not good sellers then add it to better selling products, only need to see their quarterly profits to prove these stores are not for the people.

 

[ElizaKaye]

I wish we could get a Cosco shop in the Southern Highlands.

 

[SM17453]

Did anyone else notice the error in the price ticket shown in this article? The advertised 30% drop is actually 50%. Four bucks down to two bucks. Woolies isn't doing itself any favours there. Haha.

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

Those supermarkets talk of rising costs of products due to external issues yet they make record profits!

 

[Mikeyboy2012]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

This is across the board. Woolies, Coles and Aldi have raised prices before discounting them to about or above the old price.

 

[Tootie]

I have said for a long time that supermarkets are profiteering. Oh, yes, products are 'on special' for what used to be the regular price. They don't fool me! Blaming inflation - yeah, right! The only inflation is in their price gouging.

 

[sim140]

Did anyone else notice the error in the price ticket shown in this article? The advertised 30% drop is actually 50%. Four bucks down to two bucks. Woolies isn't doing itself any favours there. Haha.

That's from a Coles store...not Woolies. Haha.

 

[sim140]

Don't hold your breath waiting for ANY specials on these "Price Dropped" products...not going to happen while it is Price Dropped!

 

[Ashbeare]

We always appreciate a good bargain, and we know that most of you regularly shop at supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles.

However, we've stumbled across a few reports claiming to have noticed a rather questionable pricing strategy going on in these major grocery chains.

According to an unhappy Woolworths customer who posted on a forum website, they've observed the retailer's prices on popular products being raised so that they can add a large 'Prices Dropped' tag on the shelves.

Shoppers have voiced their frustrations at the seemingly arbitrary price fluctuations followed by seemingly generous discounts. Other forum users said Coles seems to follow the same pattern: 'Coles does the exact same thing.'

View attachment 21892

Retail experts say consumers should be wary of supermarket price drops. Credit: Flickr.

Take the case of a 30-pack box of Pepsi Max: the forum user dug up some records, revealing that the price dropped from $33.50 to $24 on August 30 last year and remained there for quite some time.

However, around April 17, 2023, the price suddenly shot up to $35 before dropping again to $26, now with a 'Was $35 on 17/5/23' sticker. The question here is, who's benefiting from this practice? The customer or the supermarket?

Several other shoppers jumped in with their personal experiences, expressing frustration with the sense of false savings provided by these pricing strategies.

One disgruntled customer criticised the supermarkets, claiming, 'They have made record profits in a time when the supposed reason for price hikes were cost increases for them.'

Professor Jana Bowden of Marketing and Consumer Psychology at Macquarie University advises shoppers to remain wary. 'Big brands regularly raise and then drop their prices at various times throughout the year to encourage consumers to buy,' Professor Bowden told a news outlet.

'Promotional sales tags or "specials" discourage consumers from doing their price homework.'

According to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) guidelines, a 'was' or 'strikethrough' price must have been paid by customers for a reasonable period before a sale began; the term 'reasonable' varies from situation to situation.

It appears that these discounts elicit excitement, leading customers to make purchases based on emotion and impulse rather than logic. It's easy to fall for the eye-catching end-of-aisle displays in supermarkets, featuring enticing multi-pack soft drink 'bargains'.

Unfortunately, shoppers often assume that a discount tag signifies an excellent buying opportunity.

Professor Bowden urges vigilance: 'Consumers need to do their homework, especially for products they buy often. That means researching prices over time, knowing what specials are likely to crop up and when, and being aware of whether a promotion is a legitimate promotion or not. It really is a case of buyer beware.'

View attachment 21893

A spokesperson for the supermarket cited supplier cost increases for the fluctuating prices. Credit: Twitter/Woolworths.

In their defence, a Woolworths spokesperson addressed the fluctuating prices, attributing them to significant supplier cost increases over the past 12 to 18 months, resulting in higher retail prices.

They explained, 'Woolworths endeavours to be very clear with its pricing so customers can see the benefit of the shelf price reductions in their seasonal "Prices Dropped" program, regardless of whether it's through our catalogue, in-store or online. The purpose of our seasonal and longer-term "Prices Dropped" programs is to provide better price certainty for longer on lower shelf prices for our customers.'

Key Takeaways

• A Woolworths shopper shared an observation of the retailer's discount tactics on a popular forum, stirring anger among other customers.
• Many shoppers responded with their own examples of supermarkets using this discount tactic, and some claimed Coles does the 'exact same thing'.
• Professor Jana Bowden, an expert in marketing and consumer psychology, says that customers need to do their research and be vigilant when it comes to deals and promotional sales tags.
• In a statement, a Woolworths spokesperson explained the reasoning for fluctuating prices, citing supplier cost price increases and the company's effort to provide clear pricing information to customers.

We urge our Senior Discount Club members to be savvy shoppers and keep an eye out for the fairness of supermarket pricing tactics. Always double-check whether 'discounted' items are genuinely a good deal or just another marketing ploy.

With that said, what are your thoughts on these 'sneaky' pricing tactics in supermarkets? Have you encountered similar experiences? Perhaps you have other noteworthy observations from your supermarket visits that you'd like to share. We would love to hear your input, so please feel free to leave your comments below!

I think that the biggest & most common gouging is weight changes. Often the price will rise by a few cents, but the weight drops by quite a few grams. The pack size is often unchanged. Thus doubling the actual price. The practise of showing cost per 100g evens that out, but that is often very hard to see. Eventually the original package is returned with the name "Party Pack" or "Super Sized". We are not dumb.

 

[Victoria56]

No good price drops at Coles this morning. How do they justify a block of cheese at $14 and tomatoes at $11 a kilo??? My best buy was chicken breasts at $10 a kg. What would have previously been a $50 shop, now $89. Beyond a joke. These supermarket giants are making unbelievable profits and we are providing them. Total ripoffs everywhere.