Battle of the Aussie supermarkets: Coles vs Woolworths—Which one saves you more money?
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With the festive season approaching, budgeting for your weekly grocery shop can be a bit of a stretch. During this time, every cent matters, especially when the silver bells start chiming!
And after the temporary price drops announced by Coles and Woolworths for the Christmas season comes the age-old question: Who offers the best bang for your buck?
Comparing prices is a great way to be frugal, given that you can save yourself a bit of cash if you’re willing to shop around. A report has recently picked out a handful of products from each store to craft an average-sized weekly grocery basket.
Rather than only looking at the 1,000 products classified under the price drop promotions, reporters have gone to the effort of considering the possible needs of a family of four for a couple of days.
This included food, cleaning products, and toilet paper, among other things.
The only thing that wasn’t factored in was the pantry basics that many people already have in stock, like oil or salt and pepper.
So, let's have a look at the results—which might surprise you!
Where can you save most on dinner?
According to the report, ingredients were collected to make everyone's favourite dish—spaghetti bolognese. Each shop ensured enough ingredients were bought to feed a family of four.
The prices at Coles amounted to $6.57:
What about for lunch?
For lunch, reporters gathered a mix of a couple of tuna cans with some fresh vegetables and a loaf of bread for eight sandwiches.
The prices at Coles amounted to $26.39:
What about home essentials?
Finally, for the home essentials, both supermarkets matched each other for every item, including toothpaste, multi-purpose spray, bin bags, and toilet rolls. Just goes to show you that when it comes to these types of items, it always pays to shop around!
Coles’s prices amounted to $23.20:
So, what’s the verdict?
Coles: $56.16
Woolworths: $56.68
The report revealed that the cost difference was so minimal that it once again came down to mere cents.
It's been widely reported that these two grocery stores, which hold over two-thirds of Australia's grocery market, have 'broken' the market thanks to their sheer dominance.
Furthermore, an expert spoke out about how more competition between the two supermarket giants could produce far more savings for all Australians who are being crippled by rising costs.
This report has also exposed a significant issue that is impacting the budget of every Australian shopper. You can read more about that here.
We hope these findings will provide some valuable perspective on where to spend your hard-earned dollars—so that you can find the best value and save as much as possible.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!
And after the temporary price drops announced by Coles and Woolworths for the Christmas season comes the age-old question: Who offers the best bang for your buck?
Comparing prices is a great way to be frugal, given that you can save yourself a bit of cash if you’re willing to shop around. A report has recently picked out a handful of products from each store to craft an average-sized weekly grocery basket.
Rather than only looking at the 1,000 products classified under the price drop promotions, reporters have gone to the effort of considering the possible needs of a family of four for a couple of days.
This included food, cleaning products, and toilet paper, among other things.
The only thing that wasn’t factored in was the pantry basics that many people already have in stock, like oil or salt and pepper.
So, let's have a look at the results—which might surprise you!
Where can you save most on dinner?
According to the report, ingredients were collected to make everyone's favourite dish—spaghetti bolognese. Each shop ensured enough ingredients were bought to feed a family of four.
The prices at Coles amounted to $6.57:
- Mum's Sauce Bolognese 500g - $3
- Onion - $3.70/kg (67c)
- Grated Parmesan Cheese 100g bag - $2
- Pasta Spaghetti 500g - 90c
- Macro Organic Pasta Sauce Chunky Bolognese 500g - $2.30
- Onions - No per kg price but 59c a piece
- Essentials Parmesan Cheese 100g bag - $2.20
- Pasta Spaghetti 500g - $1
What about for lunch?
For lunch, reporters gathered a mix of a couple of tuna cans with some fresh vegetables and a loaf of bread for eight sandwiches.
The prices at Coles amounted to $26.39:
- White Bread 650g - $2.40
- Don Champagne Ham ($22.00/kg) - $8.80
- Lebanese cucumber ($3.90/kg) - 78c
- Field Tomatoes Loose ($6.90/kg) - $1.93
- 4 Leaf Salad Mix 120g bag - $2
- Sliced Beetroot 425g can - $2.35
- Traditional Mayonnaise 470g - $4.00 (85c per 100g)
- Coles Tuna Onion & Savoury Sauce 95g - $1.10
- White Soft Sandwich Bread 650g - $2.70
- Champagne Leg Ham Shaved ($23.50/kg) - $9.28
- Lebanese cucumber - No price per kg but 52c a piece
- Fresh Tomato Each - No price per kg but 87c a piece - $1.74
- Leafy Mix Salad 120g bag - $2
- Beetroot Sliced 425g can - $2.35
- Whole Egg Mayonnaise 440g - $4.00 (91c per 100g)
- Tuna Tomato And Onion 95g - $1.10
What about home essentials?
Finally, for the home essentials, both supermarkets matched each other for every item, including toothpaste, multi-purpose spray, bin bags, and toilet rolls. Just goes to show you that when it comes to these types of items, it always pays to shop around!
Coles’s prices amounted to $23.20:
- Quilton 3 Ply White Toilet Paper 20 pack - $11.00
- Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste 165g - $3.50
- Ajax Spray N Wipe Lemon Citrus 5 in 1 Multi Purpose Cleaner Refill 750ml - $4.00
- My Eco Bag Compostable Kitchen Bag Bin Liner 8L 25 pack - $4.70
- Quilton Toilet Tissue 3 Ply White 180 Sheets 24 Pack - $13.60
- Colgate Triple Action Toothpaste 165g - $3.50
- Ajax Spray And Wipe Multipurpose Lavender & Citrus Refill 750ml - $4.00
- My Eco Bag Compostable Kitchen Bags Mini 8L 25 pack - $4.70
So, what’s the verdict?
Coles: $56.16
Woolworths: $56.68
The report revealed that the cost difference was so minimal that it once again came down to mere cents.
It's been widely reported that these two grocery stores, which hold over two-thirds of Australia's grocery market, have 'broken' the market thanks to their sheer dominance.
Furthermore, an expert spoke out about how more competition between the two supermarket giants could produce far more savings for all Australians who are being crippled by rising costs.
This report has also exposed a significant issue that is impacting the budget of every Australian shopper. You can read more about that here.
Key Takeaways
- Woolworths and Coles have announced temporary price drops for the Christmas season, and a comparison was made between the prices of a selected grocery basket at both supermarkets.
- The price comparison consisted of items to create a spaghetti bolognese meal, a simple lunch, and some household essential items—with the results showing only a slight difference in total cost favouring Woolworths.
- The dominant market hold of Woolworths and Coles has been deemed a major problem, as it’s led to minimal competition and little variation in price points for shoppers.
We hope these findings will provide some valuable perspective on where to spend your hard-earned dollars—so that you can find the best value and save as much as possible.
What do you think of this story? Let us know in the comments below!