Customer's checkout photo stirs conversations about cost-of-living crisis
- Replies 26
In a world where the cost of living is constantly on the rise, every dollar counts.
For community members who make do with a fixed income, sudden changes in prices could strain their wallets.
It's no wonder, then, that a recent photo taken at a supermarket sparked widespread outrage among Australians, leaving many to question the fairness of grocery pricing.
A Woolworths shopper shared his disbelief online after sending the image and the cost of the groceries to his equally shocked partner.
The photo showed a receipt for a modest haul—a single tomato, a 2L bottle of milk, and 680g of chicken thigh fillets.
'$19 worth of food,' he wrote in the post.
The photo quickly became a hot topic of discussion.
The breakdown of the bill was $11.90 for the chicken, $5.80 for the lactose-free milk, and $1.28 for the tomato.
The customer found the cost versus the items received to be 'a bit absurd'.
Many shoppers echoed the same sentiment online, with users blasting the overall cost of the grocery haul.
One user commented on the 'hideously expensive' smaller pack.
'Can't believe chicken becomes unaffordable nowadays,' another shopper lamented.
'It's getting out of hand. A four-pack of chicken thighs used to cost $3 for 6,' another user said.
The discussion also highlighted a broader issue that many Australians are grappling with—rising inflation and the perceived lack of value from major supermarkets.
'I did not realise fresh milk was a premium product now,' a shopper said.
'S*** is getting out of hand,' one concluded.
In response to the uproar, a Woolworths spokesperson pointed out several things about the photo.
'It's important to note that lactose-free milk is more expensive than regular milk due to the additional processing required to remove the natural lactose,' the spokesperson said.
'The tray of RSPCA-approved chicken fillets contains several servings, which could make for a family meal or be enjoyed over a couple of days.'
While these explanations may offer some context, they do little to ease the sting of the checkout for those on a tight budget.
Recently, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposed using divestiture powers to address anti-competitive behaviour by major supermarket chains.
The proposal came to light after a Senate inquiry suggesting that Coles and Woolworths are setting unfair prices, negatively impacting consumers and suppliers.
The shopper involved in this incident started exploring other options for his shopping, including ALDI and local butcher shops, in search of better value.
Have you experienced price shocks at the counter during your recent shopping trips? What are your strategies for keeping grocery costs down? Share your thoughts and tips with us in the comments below.
For community members who make do with a fixed income, sudden changes in prices could strain their wallets.
It's no wonder, then, that a recent photo taken at a supermarket sparked widespread outrage among Australians, leaving many to question the fairness of grocery pricing.
A Woolworths shopper shared his disbelief online after sending the image and the cost of the groceries to his equally shocked partner.
The photo showed a receipt for a modest haul—a single tomato, a 2L bottle of milk, and 680g of chicken thigh fillets.
'$19 worth of food,' he wrote in the post.
An anonymous shopper shared their grocery haul which cost a shocking $19. Image Credit: Reddit/tacotaco_yum
The photo quickly became a hot topic of discussion.
The breakdown of the bill was $11.90 for the chicken, $5.80 for the lactose-free milk, and $1.28 for the tomato.
The customer found the cost versus the items received to be 'a bit absurd'.
Many shoppers echoed the same sentiment online, with users blasting the overall cost of the grocery haul.
One user commented on the 'hideously expensive' smaller pack.
'Can't believe chicken becomes unaffordable nowadays,' another shopper lamented.
'It's getting out of hand. A four-pack of chicken thighs used to cost $3 for 6,' another user said.
The discussion also highlighted a broader issue that many Australians are grappling with—rising inflation and the perceived lack of value from major supermarkets.
'I did not realise fresh milk was a premium product now,' a shopper said.
'S*** is getting out of hand,' one concluded.
In response to the uproar, a Woolworths spokesperson pointed out several things about the photo.
'It's important to note that lactose-free milk is more expensive than regular milk due to the additional processing required to remove the natural lactose,' the spokesperson said.
'The tray of RSPCA-approved chicken fillets contains several servings, which could make for a family meal or be enjoyed over a couple of days.'
While these explanations may offer some context, they do little to ease the sting of the checkout for those on a tight budget.
Recently, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton proposed using divestiture powers to address anti-competitive behaviour by major supermarket chains.
The proposal came to light after a Senate inquiry suggesting that Coles and Woolworths are setting unfair prices, negatively impacting consumers and suppliers.
The shopper involved in this incident started exploring other options for his shopping, including ALDI and local butcher shops, in search of better value.
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