'It's outrageous!': Aussie shoppers are getting 'heart palpitations' over the prices of these everyday grocery items

There was a time when a packet of chips and a soft drink made for a perfectly affordable snack.

But nowadays, you might just find yourself outraged when you see the soaring price tags at the supermarket.


Recently, an IGA customer shared a photo of a 165g pack of Sea Salt Kettle Chips being sold for $4.50 on discount—or $8.84 at full price!


SDC Images (5).png
Kettle Chips’s full price in IGA is now at $8.84. Image sources: Reddit (left), Freepik (right).


'I don't even walk through the chips aisle anymore. Just looking at the price tags gives me heart palpitations,' one replied.

Other shoppers also shared their disappointment over the prices of healthier options such as vegetables.

Soon after, another shopper was equally taken aback when they chanced upon a 600ml bottle of Coca-Cola being sold for a whopping $7 at an airport store.


Screenshot 2023-09-14 at 10.01.45 AM.png
Another user was shocked to see 600ml bottles of Coca-Cola at the airport store priced at $7. Image source: Reddit.


'Didn't buy it. (I) was just waiting in line to grab a coffee and noticed... and just about fell over. I still think it's outrageous, even for an airport,' the shopper shared.


Supermarkets have been steadily raising prices on packaged food and drinks for months as suppliers have raised costs due to commodities, energy, and labour. Though expected that these costs will be passed onto the customers, the billion-dollar profits of supermarkets remain a hard pill to swallow for those struggling to make ends meet.

You might be wondering… What's the solution?

Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School Andrew Grant suggested that avoiding particular items and brands is a good start for those trying to keep budgets in check as it will encourage them to look around some more.

'A part of it is that people are loyal to particular brands, and they're not so willing to switch if the price goes up,' he said.

'Unless people are willing to shop around or switch, there's no incentive for the supermarket to put the price down. So, people need to pay attention to how much these things cost and be willing to say no if the price gets too high.'

With regard to price decreases, Professor Grant advised shoppers to manage their expectations.

'I can't imagine that prices are going to come down too much, they might just stop growing as quickly as they have been of late,' he said.


In other news, as shoppers become increasingly fed-up with exorbitant supermarket prices, many are turning to their local independent grocers for better deals.

One shopper visited a local grocer and stumbled upon an amazing deal—an assortment of fruits and vegetables for only $6!

‘Couldn’t pick and choose what I bought and wasn’t able to even see everything I was buying, but I think it was worth it,’ said the shopper.

You can read more about this shopper’s $6 haul in this article.
Key Takeaways

    • Australians are voicing their shock and frustration over the rising prices of snacks in supermarkets across the country.
    • An IGA customer shared a photo of 165g packs of Sea Salt Kettle Chips on sale for $4.50 but said the full price is $8.84.
    • In the same week, a photo was shared of 600ml bottles of Coca-Cola being sold for an astonishing $7 at an airport store.
    • Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School Andrew Grant suggests consumers need to be willing to shop around or switch brands, as high loyalty to particular brands does not encourage supermarkets to lower prices.
Is there a specific grocery item or brand you’ve recently stopped purchasing due to their price increase? What were your alternatives for these items/brands? Share them with us in the comments below!
 
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Fair enough but how do you explain items such as frozen chicken pieces and Birdseye Crumbed Fish which are occasionally half price? The raw materials, i.e live chooks and fish aren't manufactured in a factory.
Crumbed fish tried it once but where’s the fish😩same as fish fingers liked them once but never again😥
 
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I do agree with driving girl , that the healthy food items should come down and increase the price of all the bad food. if you stop at a servo , just about every one comes out with a bottle of coke and a packet of chips .
Just what happened with the cigarettes , they put up the prices that much , there are not many who can afford them , which is the right idea as smoking is bad for you and the environment. They want us to eat healthy , so put down the price and people get used to eat the real food and maybe lose a bit of that extra weight as well.
 
I will guarantee that most people will discuss how to buy these sorts of items cheaper or where and when to buy them. Some will say life's too short, and a few processed foods now and again won't hurt, whilst a few will talk about not buying them at all as they are bad for health.

Most of us have gotten ourselves into the practise of considering these so-called comfort foods as forming part of our every day-to-day lifestyle and so fooling our psyche into thinking so. We will comment on the packaging size, the flavour and the cost. We will become outraged when prices are exorbitant and respond and admonish the suppliers for doing so. We will at times even talk about boycotting those that seem to be taking advantage and profiteering.

There is a difference between responding to food prices which ought not be on our shopping list and complaining about the growing cost of real food. The sooner that society drastically reduces their consumption of these things the better off everyone will be. Of course, we all know that once that happens then retailers will switch their attention to real foods, such as vegetables and meat. This would not come as any surprise to all of us. However, the fact remains that consuming processed foods whether it be regularly or in moderation (some people will tell you that moderation is a small amount every day) is slowing becoming the number one pre-cursor to many metabolic diseases. These diseases are certainly brought on by what we put in our mouth or how some of us who have a genetic disposition for certain diseases switch it on by the foods we eat.

I won't go into and discuss the contents of processed foods themselves and the havoc they wreak on our bodies (particularly in our older age) such as sugar, vegetable oils, high carb, chemicals and preservatives, but more so try to get us thinking more about channelling our energies into ways of improving our health both now and moving forward.
Said so succinctly! Home cooking and baking are a great way to bring the family together and away from the ubiquitous screen, encouraging conversation and laughter and a sense of belonging which is also sadly lacking in today’s world
 
I don't think Aussies read much , else they would realise that we are the highest paid people on earth (were almost at the point of not being able to afford dig up our resources)this gives us the highest priced goods to buy, so we demand more money,(and get it) and up go the prices, vicious circle I guess well never learn
 
I do agree with driving girl , that the healthy food items should come down and increase the price of all the bad food. if you stop at a servo , just about every one comes out with a bottle of coke and a packet of chips .
Just what happened with the cigarettes , they put up the prices that much , there are not many who can afford them , which is the right idea as smoking is bad for you and the environment. They want us to eat healthy , so put down the price and people get used to eat the real food and maybe lose a bit of that extra weight as well.
Ah you’re so right. . BUT if we all get healthier then who is going to buy the chemical crap they call medication.. that will never do for the pharmaceutical industry/ prosthetic joint manufacturers or suppliers all the little bits of single use plastic that get used in surgeries of even the simplest kind. Why do you think they squashed the concept of a sugar tax so decidedly????
Absolutely no concern for their people- governments of all stripes!
 
I don't think Aussies read much , else they would realise that we are the highest paid people on earth (were almost at the point of not being able to afford dig up our resources)this gives us the highest priced goods to buy, so we demand more money,(and get it) and up go the prices, vicious circle I guess well never learn
Well that's debatable. Try the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland and maybe Singapore. Depending on who compiled the data and what criteria they used, Australia ranks anywhere from 3rd to 11th in the world.
 
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Looks like prices will continue to soar. Goats cheese last week was $5.75. Went in yesterday exact same one $9.40. Its not cents its dollars that are being piled on. Obviously didn't buy and will be looking elsewhere. Disgusting.
Corporate GREED! Coles announcing a $10B profit is rubbing salt into wounds of most Australians. They do not give a damn! Basic items are ridiculously priced, a loaf of bread for instance, anything fresh.
Gordon Geckos are running our world!
 
Have a look at the major supermarkets and their half price specials. Most of the items are soft drinks, confectionery, chocolate, chips, hygiene products and vitamin supplements. Nothing which would constitute an ingredient in a proper meal.

Hell will freeze over the day half price chicken, beef, lamb, FRESH fish, and fruit and vegetables are offered at a supermarket.
No, have to disagree. My local woollies and Coles have great specials on fruit,Veg and meat, especially woollies everyday, often more than 50 percent off.
 
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No, have to disagree. My local woollies and Coles have great specials on fruit,Veg and meat, especially woollies everyday, often more than 50 percent off.
Fortunately, I have the last three weeks' Woolworths catalogues sitting right here, ready for disposal. I will go through them and bet you my meagre bank balance that I will NOT find any fruit, veg or meat specials approaching anywhere near a 50% discount.
I'll get back to you on this.
 
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Fortunately, I have the last three weeks' Woolworths catalogues sitting right here, ready for disposal. I will go through them and bet you my meagre bank balance that I will NOT find any fruit, veg or meat specials approaching anywhere near a 50% discount.
I'll get back to you on this.
I keep mine also and just checked the last 5 weeks no half price veggies in mine or fruit in mine. Oh I keep them for the kitty litter tray saves buying it.
 
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Sorry, I've got only the last two weeks' Woolies catalogues.

So here we go!

Week ending 12 September 2023

Thawed Basa Fillets $8/kg 27.3% off
Boneless Pork Leg Roast $8/kg 27.3% off
Lamb Cutlets $35/kg 18.6% off
Green King Prawns $20/kg 31.0% off
Solanato Tomatoes $3 ea 33.3% off
Baby Cucumber* $3 ea 33.3% off
Snackable Carrots* $3 ea 23.1% off
Bulk Rump Steak $20/kg 33.3% off

Week ending 19 September 2023

Lamb Midloin Chops $19/kg 32.1% off
Lamb Leg Roast $10/kg 16.7% off
Chicken Breast Fillets $10/kg 9.1% off
Mini Bananas, etc* $2.50 ea 28.6% off
Diced Chicken Breast $13/kg 16.1% off
Tiger Prawns $36/kg 10% off

*denotes kids' snacks

NOTE: No processed foods are included

Please show me where the half price fruit, veg and meat specials are?

EDIT: @Babbie you owe me $220.09! :p
 
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Sorry, I've got only the last two weeks' Woolies catalogues.

So here we go!

Week ending 12 September 2023

Thawed Basa Fillets $8/kg 27.3% off
Boneless Pork Leg Roast $8/kg 27.3% off
Lamb Cutlets $35/kg 18.6% off
Green King Prawns $20/kg 31.0% off
Solanato Tomatoes $3 ea 33.3% off
Baby Cucumber* $3 ea 33.3% off
Snackable Carrots* $3 ea 23.1% off
Bulk Rump Steak $20/kg 33.3% off

Week ending 19 September 2023

Lamb Midloin Chops $19/kg 32.1% off
Lamb Leg Roast $10/kg 16.7% off
Chicken Breast Fillets $10/kg 9.1% off
Mini Bananas, etc* $2.50 ea 28.6% off
Diced Chicken Breast $13/kg 16.1% off
Tiger Prawns $36/kg 10% off

*denotes kids' snacks

NOTE: No processed foods are included

Please show me where the half price fruit, veg and meat specials are?

EDIT: @Babbie you owe me $220.09! :p
😹
 
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There was a time when a packet of chips and a soft drink made for a perfectly affordable snack.

But nowadays, you might just find yourself outraged when you see the soaring price tags at the supermarket.


Recently, an IGA customer shared a photo of a 165g pack of Sea Salt Kettle Chips being sold for $4.50 on discount—or $8.84 at full price!


View attachment 29897
Kettle Chips’s full price in IGA is now at $8.84. Image sources: Reddit (left), Freepik (right).


'I don't even walk through the chips aisle anymore. Just looking at the price tags gives me heart palpitations,' one replied.

Other shoppers also shared their disappointment over the prices of healthier options such as vegetables.

Soon after, another shopper was equally taken aback when they chanced upon a 600ml bottle of Coca-Cola being sold for a whopping $7 at an airport store.


View attachment 29898
Another user was shocked to see 600ml bottles of Coca-Cola at the airport store priced at $7. Image source: Reddit.


'Didn't buy it. (I) was just waiting in line to grab a coffee and noticed... and just about fell over. I still think it's outrageous, even for an airport,' the shopper shared.


Supermarkets have been steadily raising prices on packaged food and drinks for months as suppliers have raised costs due to commodities, energy, and labour. Though expected that these costs will be passed onto the customers, the billion-dollar profits of supermarkets remain a hard pill to swallow for those struggling to make ends meet.

You might be wondering… What's the solution?

Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School Andrew Grant suggested that avoiding particular items and brands is a good start for those trying to keep budgets in check as it will encourage them to look around some more.

'A part of it is that people are loyal to particular brands, and they're not so willing to switch if the price goes up,' he said.

'Unless people are willing to shop around or switch, there's no incentive for the supermarket to put the price down. So, people need to pay attention to how much these things cost and be willing to say no if the price gets too high.'

With regard to price decreases, Professor Grant advised shoppers to manage their expectations.

'I can't imagine that prices are going to come down too much, they might just stop growing as quickly as they have been of late,' he said.


In other news, as shoppers become increasingly fed-up with exorbitant supermarket prices, many are turning to their local independent grocers for better deals.

One shopper visited a local grocer and stumbled upon an amazing deal—an assortment of fruits and vegetables for only $6!

‘Couldn’t pick and choose what I bought and wasn’t able to even see everything I was buying, but I think it was worth it,’ said the shopper.

You can read more about this shopper’s $6 haul in this article.
Key Takeaways

    • Australians are voicing their shock and frustration over the rising prices of snacks in supermarkets across the country.
    • An IGA customer shared a photo of 165g packs of Sea Salt Kettle Chips on sale for $4.50 but said the full price is $8.84.
    • In the same week, a photo was shared of 600ml bottles of Coca-Cola being sold for an astonishing $7 at an airport store.
    • Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Business School Andrew Grant suggests consumers need to be willing to shop around or switch brands, as high loyalty to particular brands does not encourage supermarkets to lower prices.
Is there a specific grocery item or brand you’ve recently stopped purchasing due to their price increase? What were your alternatives for these items/brands? Share them with us in the comments below!
No wonder people are shoplifting not condoning stealing in any way but that’s outrageous. However I will only buy at IGA if they are cheaper than anywhere else and the airport is just a ripoff same as service stations so I don’t buy there eithervyou always have a choice
 
Frankly they can raise the price of these items as high as they like- no nutritional value and extremely bad for your body. . Probably no one will agree with me, but if they lower the cost of real food and increase the price of this stuff - we’ll all be better off
I was looking for Buttermilk the other day and a Woolies worker directed me to it. I said I wanted Paul’s brand, and she said we don’t stock it anymore so you have to buy Woolworths brand.
 
I was looking for Buttermilk the other day and a Woolies worker directed me to it. I said I wanted Paul’s brand, and she said we don’t stock it anymore so you have to buy Woolworths brand.
Recipe online make your own it’s easy😁woollies is 99 percent Aussie ingredients😁
 

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