When your morning coffee ritual becomes a financial guessing game, you know something's gone seriously wrong. Across Australia, an increasing number of cafes are quietly removing price displays from their counters, leaving customers - particularly those on fixed incomes - to face uncomfortable surprises when it's time to pay.
This emerging trend has sparked heated debate on social media, with many Australians calling it 'predatory' and 'scammy.' But behind the frustration lies a complex story of economic pressures affecting both customers and business owners in 2025.
In this Article
The invisible price tag phenomenon
The situation has become particularly acute as coffee prices reach record highs, with arabica prices peaking at levels not seen since 1977, and Australian cafes facing unprecedented cost pressures in 2025.
What started as an occasional annoyance has evolved into a widespread practice. Customers report having to ask staff for prices on everything from sandwiches to slices of cake, only to discover costs far higher than expected. The psychological pressure of standing at the counter with food in hand makes it much harder to say no, even when the price causes genuine budget stress.
For Australian seniors, this trend hits particularly hard. Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that pensioner and beneficiary households are experiencing living cost increases of 2.9 per cent annually, compared to the general Consumer Price Index of 2.1 per cent, with rents and food making up a higher proportion of expenditure for these household types.
What the law actually says
While this practice feels underhanded, it's not technically illegal. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that businesses are generally able to set their own prices, but they must display clear and accurate prices and must not mislead consumers.
Businesses must display a total price that includes taxes, duties and all unavoidable extra fees, and must communicate clear and accurate prices prior to purchase without misleading consumers.
However, there's no specific requirement for cafes to display prices on individual food items, unlike supermarkets which must show unit pricing on groceries.
Your consumer rights regarding pricing
Businesses must provide clear pricing before purchase
You cannot be charged more than the lowest displayed price
Misleading pricing practices can be reported to the ACCC
Call 1300 302 502 to report concerns or visit accc.gov.au
The real cost for seniors
The financial impact on seniors extends far beyond the immediate shock at the checkout. With the maximum full Age Pension sitting at $1,149 per fortnight for singles (approximately $29,874 per year), every unexpected expense matters.
Consider this: if a senior expects to pay $4 for a coffee and slice but faces a $12 bill instead, that's potentially $40+ per week in budget blowouts - money that could have covered groceries or medication costs.
As energy prices climb and rents hit new highs, thousands of Australians are turning to Centrelink support, with pensioners, jobseekers, students and families potentially missing out on payments and supplements they're entitled to.
Why cafes are doing this
Before we condemn cafe owners entirely, it's worth understanding the crushing economic pressures they face. Official data shows coffee, tea and cocoa prices rose 8.3 per cent over the past 12 months, with higher coffee prices driven by adverse weather conditions impacting major overseas coffee bean-growing areas.
'One in 10 cafes will close in 2025 as consumer demand for coffee is already slowing down'
The latest insolvency data shows that 1,420 businesses in the hospitality industry became insolvent in the first seven months of 2024-25, representing a 62 per cent increase on the 877 hospitality businesses that went under in the same period of 2023-24.
Industry forecasts predict that by 2025, coffee prices will rise by 15-20 per cent, pushing average coffee prices to $5.75-$7.00, which could easily see the annual cost of daily coffee climb to over $2,000 for regular drinkers.
Some cafe owners are clearly reluctant to display prices they know will shock customers, hoping the personal interaction might soften the blow or that people will pay anyway once committed to the purchase.
The transparency problem grows
Research into Australian consumer sentiment reveals this isn't just a media beat-up. Analysis of over 10,000 Reddit comments shows the supermarket and retail pricing story is genuine, with people talking about the issues, suggesting shifts to supporting local or cheaper businesses, and calling for government action on pricing.
Australian Reddit users have identified pricing tactics including price gouging, shrinkflation, and misleading price displays, with Reddit serving as an important platform for support and disseminating budgeting strategies to help overcome rising costs of living.
The cafe trend appears to be part of a broader pattern of pricing practices that many consumers find frustrating and unfair.
How to protect yourself from pricing surprises
- Always ask for prices before ordering, even if it feels awkward
- Consider bringing a spending limit in cash and sticking to it
- Look for cafes that clearly display all prices
- Support businesses that maintain transparent pricing
- Report genuinely misleading practices to the ACCC
- Consider making coffee at home - it could save over $1,350 annually
Did you know?
Did you know?
The ACCC's 2025-26 priorities specifically include 'misleading pricing practices' as a focus area, particularly in retail sectors affecting consumers experiencing cost-of-living pressures.
What comes next?
The ACCC has identified consumer and fair trading concerns in the retail sectors as a priority for 2025-26, with a focus on misleading pricing practices, recognising that when families face cost-of-living pressures, having confidence in purchasing decisions is more important than ever.
This suggests greater scrutiny of these practices may be coming, which could benefit consumers who've been struggling with pricing transparency.
Meanwhile, market experts note that when customers are misinformed and lack confidence in supplier representations, both markets and suppliers pay the price, as conduct that erodes trust and impedes informed purchasing decisions impairs the capacity for competition on the merits.
The message is clear: transparency isn't just good customer service - it's good business sense.
What This Means For You
This trend will only change if enough customers speak up and vote with their wallets. By choosing cafes that display prices clearly and avoiding those that don't, you're sending a powerful message about the kind of business practices you'll support.
Remember, you've earned the right to know what you're paying before you commit to a purchase. Don't let anyone make you feel awkward for asking - it's your money and your budget.
Have you experienced the 'no prices displayed' frustration at your local cafe? We'd love to hear your stories - both good and bad - about pricing transparency in your area. What strategies have worked for you in dealing with this trend, and have you found any cafes that still proudly display their prices? Share your experiences in the comments below and help fellow members navigate these challenging waters.
Original Article
https://www.kidspot.com.au/lifestyl...y/news-story/4563ecf46f32f85d67c18a008d7a827c
Why are coffee prices rising in Australia in 2025 | Torrens University
Cited text: These supply disruptions have caused international coffee bean prices to reach record highs, with arabica prices peaking at levels not seen since 1977...
Excerpt: The situation has become particularly acute as coffee prices reach record highs, with arabica prices peaking at levels not seen since 1977, and Australian cafes facing unprecedented cost pressures in 2025.
https://www.torrens.edu.au/stories/blog/hospitality/why-are-coffee-prices-rising-in-australia
Green coffee price spike + inflation adjustment: price increase 2025 - Sample Coffee
Cited text: TL;DR: In 2025, we are increasing our coffee prices to reflect the recent green coffee cost spike (mainly due to weather events affecting supply, logi...
Excerpt: The situation has become particularly acute as coffee prices reach record highs, with arabica prices peaking at levels not seen since 1977, and Australian cafes facing unprecedented cost pressures in 2025.
https://samplecoffee.com.au/journal/price-increase-notice-2025
Age Pension rates (March 2025 to September 2025)
Cited text: These rates are adjusted in March and September each year based on movements in the CPI. Current rates for Age Pensioners without any dependent childr...
Excerpt: Recent Australian Bureau of Statistics data shows that pensioner and beneficiary households are experiencing living cost increases of 2.9 per cent annually, compared to the general Consumer Price Index of 2…
https://www.superguide.com.au/in-retirement/age-pension-rates
Price Transparency Act: Changes and Compliance 2024 | FTI
Cited text: The Hospital Price Transparency rule enforces the mandate of Section 2718[e] of the Public Health Service Act by obligating every hospital in the Unit...
Excerpt: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) states that businesses are generally able to set their own prices, but they must display clear and accurate prices and must not mislead consumers.
https://www.fticonsulting.com/insights/webinars/price-transparency-act-changes-compliance-2024
Pricing standards | NSW Government
Cited text: Businesses must display clear and accurate prices of their goods or services and follow the law if initiating practices like surcharges or comparison ...
Excerpt: Businesses must display a total price that includes taxes, duties and all unavoidable extra fees, and must communicate clear and accurate prices prior to purchase without misleading consumers.
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/pricing
Pricing standards | NSW Government
Cited text:
Excerpt: Businesses must display a total price that includes taxes, duties and all unavoidable extra fees, and must communicate clear and accurate prices prior to purchase without misleading consumers.
https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/buying-products-and-services/pricing
Seniors Discount Club - Bargains For Older Aussies
Cited text:
Excerpt: With the maximum full Age Pension sitting at $1,149 per fortnight for singles (approximately $29,874 per year)
https://seniorsdiscountclub.com.au/wp/
Living costs rise for all household types | Australian Bureau of Statistics
Cited text: · Smaller annual rises in living costs came with a continued slowing in growth for mortgage interest charges and a fall in automotive fuel prices. · ...
Excerpt: As energy prices climb and rents hit new highs, thousands of Australians are turning to Centrelink support, with pensioners, jobseekers, students and families potentially missing out on payments and supplements they're entitled to.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/living-costs-rise-all-household-types
Monthly CPI indicator rises 2.1 per cent in the year to May 2025 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
Cited text: ‘Non-alcoholic beverage prices remain high, with coffee, tea and cocoa prices up by 8.3 per cent over the past 12 months. Higher prices for coffee dro...
Excerpt: Official data shows coffee, tea and cocoa prices rose 8.3 per cent over the past 12 months, with higher coffee prices driven by adverse weather conditions impacting major overseas coffee bean-growing areas.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/monthly-cpi-indicator-rises-21-year-may-2025
Coffee inflation will bankrupt cafes - MacroBusiness
Cited text: The latest insolvency data from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) shows that 1,420 businesses in the hospitality industry be...
Excerpt: The latest insolvency data shows that 1,420 businesses in the hospitality industry became insolvent in the first seven months of 2024-25, representing a 62 per cent increase on the 877 hospitality businesses that went under in the same period of…
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/02/coffee-inflation-will-bankrupt-cafes/
Coffee inflation will bankrupt cafes - MacroBusiness
Cited text: This represented a 62 per cent increase on the 877 hospitality businesses that went under in the same period of 2023-24 and 156 per cent higher than the same time in ...
Excerpt: The latest insolvency data shows that 1,420 businesses in the hospitality industry became insolvent in the first seven months of 2024-25, representing a 62 per cent increase on the 877 hospitality businesses that went under in the same period of…
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2025/02/coffee-inflation-will-bankrupt-cafes/
Why Coffee Will Cost More in Australia in 2025 – Prestige Coffee
Cited text: Industry forecasts predict that by 2025, prices will rise by 15-20 per cent, pushing average coffee prices to $5.75–$7.00. To put that into perspective, here’...
Excerpt: Industry forecasts predict that by 2025, coffee prices will rise by 15-20 per cent, pushing average coffee prices to $5.75-$7.00, which could easily see the annual cost of daily coffee climb to over $2,000 for regular drinkers.
https://www.coffee.prestigerepairs.com.au/blogs/news/why-coffee-will-cost-more-in-australia-in-2025
Coffee market in Australia - statistics & facts | Statista
Cited text: Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-dat...
Excerpt: Analysis of over 10,000 Reddit comments shows the supermarket and retail pricing story is genuine, with people talking about the issues, suggesting shifts to supporting local or cheaper businesses, and calling for government action on…
https://www.statista.com/topics/4615/coffee-market-in-australia/
I analysed more than 10,000 Reddit posts on supermarket pricing. 5 key themes emerged
Cited text: People are talking about the issue, suggesting a shift to supporting local or cheaper businesses and calling for government action on pricing. Read mo...
Excerpt: Australian Reddit users have identified pricing tactics including price gouging, shrinkflation, and misleading price displays, with Reddit serving as an important platform for support and disseminating budgeting strategies to help overcome…
https://theconversation.com/i-analy...permarket-pricing-5-key-themes-emerged-221119
I analysed more than 10,000 Reddit posts on supermarket pricing. 5 key themes emerged : Find an Expert : The University of Melbourne
Cited text: My research, which is yet to be peer-reviewed, revealed five key themes dominated these discussions. Woolworths says it is ‘working to deliver relief’...
Excerpt: Australia's vibrant coffee culture has supported the industry even during difficult trading conditions, with many consumers treating coffee as an affordable luxury, allowing the industry to remain resilient to movements in household income.
https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au...-on-supermarket-pricing.-5-key-themes-emerged
Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia, June 2025 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
Cited text: Living costs for Employee households, whose primary source of income is wages and salaries, rose 0.4 per cent in June 2025 quarter, following a 1.1 per cent rise in t...
Excerpt: The ACCC has identified consumer and fair trading concerns in the retail sectors as a priority for 2025-26, with a focus on misleading pricing practices, recognising that when families face cost-of-living pressures, having confidence in…
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/e...-living-cost-indexes-australia/latest-release
Selected Living Cost Indexes, Australia, June 2025 | Australian Bureau of Statistics
Cited text: Annual growth for mortgage interest charges has continued to slow, with an annual rise of 4.5 per cent to the June 2025 quarter, down from an 8.8 per cent annual rise...
Excerpt: market experts note that when customers are misinformed and lack confidence in supplier representations, both markets and suppliers pay the price, as conduct that erodes trust and impedes informed purchasing decisions impairs the capacity…
https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/e...-living-cost-indexes-australia/latest-release
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