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Are you still doing these three things at the grocery store? Looks like everyone else has stopped

Food and Lifestyle

Are you still doing these three things at the grocery store? Looks like everyone else has stopped

  • Maan
  • By Maan
1759125973026.png Are you still doing these three things at the grocery store? Looks like everyone else has stopped
Grocery habits shift as costs soar. Image source: Pexels/Kampus Production | Disclaimer: This is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual person, item, or event described

Australians are rethinking the rules of grocery shopping, and what was once considered polite behaviour is now frowned upon.



Rising costs and new supermarket technology have made everyday habits feel risky, even when the intention is simply to avoid paying for poor-quality produce.



The rise of grocery prices has forced households to adapt, with the average Australian family of four spending $240 per week—$12,480 per year—on groceries.




Seniors on fixed incomes feel this pinch acutely, making the temptation to bend the rules more understandable.



Yet, the social standards around shopping are tightening.



A recent survey revealed that 43 per cent of Australians changed how they shop following last year’s ACCC inquiry into supermarket pricing.



Twenty-three per cent said they were now much more cautious at major supermarkets, while 17 per cent shopped there less frequently.



Heightened awareness of pricing and ethics has made some previously normal habits unacceptable.




'Australians shouldn't settle for anything less than what they truly believe is great value when it comes to their weekly shop.'

Eden Radford, Canstar Blue spokesperson




Scanning cheaper versions of produce



Trying to pass off expensive mangoes as cheaper tomatoes has become almost impossible, with 60 per cent of Australians now considering it unacceptable.



Self-checkouts now use advanced scanning systems and individual barcodes to identify produce, making old tricks ineffective.



While technology has made fraud harder, this behaviour was always theft, even when self-checkouts were new.



Sampling produce before purchase



Tasting grapes or checking berries for sweetness used to be standard shopping sense, but 57 per cent now consider it unacceptable.



The pandemic accelerated this change, and supermarkets are now protecting their fresh produce investments.



Shoppers may feel frustrated paying premium prices for fruit that isn’t up to standard, yet the rules are clear—sampling is discouraged.



Removing inedible portions before weighing



Only 42 per cent of Australians found this unacceptable, so many still considered it reasonable.



Snapping broccoli stalks or removing corn husks before weighing made sense when paying by weight.



Some supermarkets discouraged this practice with signage, while others resolved it by pricing items individually, eliminating the incentive for modification.





Grocery spending by generation


Millennials spent around $56 per week on fruits and vegetables, while Boomers spent $38 per week.


Younger Australians tended to buy organic or premium produce, while older shoppers were more price-conscious and strategic.




How supermarkets responded



Retailers intensified technology to counter rule-bending, with some Australians still admitting to occasional cheating at self-checkouts.



Modern systems included visual recognition technology, weight sensors, overhead cameras, and algorithms flagging unusual purchasing patterns.



These measures increased the risk of dishonest practices, with legal consequences extending beyond the cost of a few mangoes.



The real cost of groceries



Australian households now spent an average of $178 per week on groceries.



Thirty-nine per cent of shoppers reported financial stress from grocery bills, up from 29 per cent three years ago.



Prices rose in 27 of 30 product categories, with fruit up 9.5 per cent, eggs 9 per cent, and vegetables 8 per cent.




Did you know?


ALDI sources 97 per cent of its fruits and vegetables from Australian farms Earning five-star ratings for both value for money and freshness.



Smart shopping strategies



Shoppers increasingly sought legitimate ways to reduce costs.



In 2025, 71 per cent monitored specials, up from 63 per cent in 2024.



Sixty-one per cent shopped around to find better deals.




Legitimate ways to reduce your grocery bill



  • Shop specials and compare prices across multiple supermarkets

  • Consider supermarket-owned brands rather than premium labels

  • Choose frozen vegetables when fresh prices are too high

  • Buy imperfect or 'ugly' produce when available at discount

  • Take advantage of rewards programs like Woolworths Everyday Rewards

  • Purchase in bulk when items are heavily discounted




What shoppers really wanted



Sixty-three per cent of Australians prioritised low prices across all products over convenience, variety, or rewards.



Only 10 per cent valued loyalty points or offers most, suggesting consistent value outweighed flashy promotions.




The changing landscape



Australians adapted by opting for frozen or bulk items, showing creativity in maintaining budgets.



Rising grocery costs made bending the rules tempting, yet improved technology and social expectations made shortcuts riskier and less acceptable.



Seniors navigating these changes benefited from ethical, strategic shopping to maintain fairness and community respect.



What This Means For You


Australians’ grocery habits have changed significantly due to rising costs and stricter social norms.


Practices like sampling produce or scanning cheaper items are now widely considered unacceptable, while technology at self-checkouts has made dishonest behaviour far more difficult.


At the same time, shoppers are discovering smart, ethical strategies that help them save money without breaking any rules.


For the audience, this means adapting to new expectations while still getting the best value for your weekly shop, proving that being savvy and respectful can go hand in hand.




If you found these grocery shopping tips useful, there’s a related story that explores how one major supermarket is changing the way people shop.


The piece highlights new features designed to make shopping more efficient and cost-conscious, offering real-life examples of how technology can improve the weekly shop.


It’s a practical follow-up for anyone looking to get the most out of their trips and navigate changing store practices.



Read more: ALDI reveals new features changing shopping habits: 'We're incredibly excited'





Have rising prices changed how you approach your weekly shop, and do you think these new standards are fair given the cost pressures families face?

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if i cant sample one grape before buying they can shove it where the sun dont shine some grapes are that sour they are inedible
 
Woolworths offers a Fresh or Free Guarantee for fresh produce and other items from their Fresh departments, which allows customers to receive both a refund and a replacement if they are not satisfied with the quality. This guarantee covers items not up to standard and has a broad policy of refunding or replacing any fresh food that doesn't meet customer expectations. For other faulty or damaged items, Woolworths also provides a broader Replace & Refund Guarantee.
How the Guarantee Works
  • For Fresh or Free:
    If you are not satisfied with the quality of fresh produce (fruit, vegetables, meat, deli, bakery, seafood), you are entitled to a refund and a replacement product.
  • For Other Items:
    You can also bring back any other items you are not happy with for a replacement or refund under the broader Replace & Refund Guarantee.
How to Request a Refund or Replacement
  1. Contact Woolworths:
    For online orders, you can report the issue via the online chat or customer service. For in-store purchases, you can take the item to the customer service desk.
  2. Provide Proof (if needed):
    For high-value items or badly spoiled produce, you may be asked to provide a photo of the item.
  3. Get Your Refund/Replacement:
    Woolworths will either issue a refund, provide a replacement product, or both, depending on the situation.
Important Considerations
  • Time Limits:
    For online orders with the Fresh or Free Guarantee, contact Woolworths within 48 hours of delivery.
  • Exclusions:
    Some exceptions to change-of-mind exchanges or refunds may apply, especially for perishables or opened personal care products.
  • Online vs. In-Store:
    While a return of the item is not always required for online orders, you will need to bring the item to a store for some in-store returns.
 
if i cant sample one grape before buying they can shove it where the sun dont shine some grapes are that sour they are inedible
True. And I strongly suspect the majority of shoppers still take a sample before buying for just that reason.
 
With regards to removing the inedible bits before buying - nobody can afford to buy rubbish. The supermarkets should automatically remove the outer leaves of the broccoli or cauliflower, the dead and discoloured leaves of the lettuce or cabbage; husked the corn. Or charge a lower price for the produce with inedible additions.
 
So if I am not happy with the sour grapes or too soft off mandarins, l can bring them back for a refund. OMG, do people have time to go too and from the supermarket wasting time and fuel, especially if the product was purchased at a distance. There should be a section where the product can be tasted, before making the purchase. 🙏🦋
 
So if I am not happy with the sour grapes or too soft off mandarins, l can bring them back for a refund. OMG, do people have time to go too and from the supermarket wasting time and fuel, especially if the product was purchased at a distance. There should be a section where the product can be tasted, before making the purchase. 🙏🦋
I meant to add that sampling one grape or so of produce is perfectly OK, as you said bringing back and going through the hassle of claiming a refund is a pain in the bottom for you and the supermarket.
 
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True. And I strongly suspect the majority of shoppers still take a sample before buying for just that reason.
I like to taste a grape before I buy, to makes sure its not sour.
 
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I buy only frozen vegs, but grow my own silver beet
 
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