Shoppers in Shock: 'Insane' price of chips at Woolworths sparks outrage on social media
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Even though there are a lot of different options to choose from, everyone has their favourite when it comes to chips. Some prefer their chips doused in salt, while others prefer them with a hint of spice or perhaps a splash of vinegar. We have to admit, on occasion we’re quite partial to sour cream and chives here at the SDC.
However, it seems like the price of this summer staple has been cranked up so high that Aussies are, if you‘ll pardon the pun, having a hard time swallowing it.
Sharing on Reddit forums, shoppers voiced their frustration after discovering that the prices of Red Rock Deli chips had gone up significantly.
Some users pointed out that in 2021, the fan-favourite snacks typically retailed for $4.65, but have subsequently gone up more nearly a dollar to r $5.50 at Coles. Might not sound like a lot, but that’s an increase of nearly 18.5%!
And while the price increase might not seem like much in comparison to how much the cost of other items has gone up, one Melbourne shopper revealed that they had observed the Honey Soy Chicken Red Rock Chips being sold at a Woolworths Metro store for an unbelievable price of $7.60.
You read that right, folks! A price increase of more than $3 for a single bag of chips!
Meanwhile, another Sydney customer posted a snapshot of the brand of chips being sold at Woolworths Pyrmont for $6.50, questioning if other shoppers also observed the significant price increase in their respective local stores.
They asked: 'When did this happen?'
The post captured the attention of hundreds of users, with many expressing their surprise about the cost of chips nowadays.
One user wrote: ‘This is robbery. Damn.'
‘Suddenly that diet seems doable,’ another joked.
A third asked: ‘Are they gold-plated?’
Meanwhile, other Aussie shoppers have found a way around the situation: buying on only the ‘half price’ days.
One person shared: 'Like so many things, I only buy them half price - then I fill the trolley enough to get me through to the next time they’re half price!'
We can all agree that chips and snacks in general just make summer (and full-stop) mealtime more enjoyable. And while many of us naturally assume that there will be an abundance of products on the market at this time of year, the ingredients of this snack — potatoes in particular — are not always plentiful.
The harvest of potatoes has been affected by extreme weather conditions which, in turn, affected the production of chips, according to a Woolworths representative.
The spokesperson said: 'Floods and poor growing conditions across the eastern seaboard resulted in a less than ideal harvest of potatoes, particularly those used to make packet chips or crisps.'
Another problem is the decrease of supply because of poor growing conditions in Tasmania.
It’s not only the chips that are affected by the poor harvest though. The spokesperson said that because of the potato shortage, there is ‘some pressure on potato product pricing and availability’.
The representative continued: 'We’re pleased to say we don’t have any product limits on frozen chips or packet chips.'
It must be noted, however, that we covered a story about how some retailers are imposing purchase limits on frozen chips last month.
A spokesperson for Red Rock Deli also commented on the issue, pointing out that the ‘decisions regarding retail pricing are at the discretion of the individual retail outlet'.
‘Like many local manufacturers, we have experienced significant increases in the cost of making our products. While we take every effort to absorb costs as best we can, we have had to implement wholesale price increases across our portfolio,’ they added.
‘We are committed to offering great value and quality products, and to continue manufacturing them in Australia using locally grown ingredients.’
It's no secret that Australians love their chips. Whether it's a simple serving of french fries with aioli, a bag of chips with tomato sauce, or a handful of potato chips while enjoying a movie on a Saturday night, we're consistently bringing this timeless favourite into our homes.
We here at the SDC miss the days when buying a bag of chips was actually affordable, but with inflation constantly on the rise these days it doesn’t seem like we’ll see a respite anytime soon.
Members, have you noticed this enormous price hike? If so, have you changed your potato-consuming habits? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!
However, it seems like the price of this summer staple has been cranked up so high that Aussies are, if you‘ll pardon the pun, having a hard time swallowing it.
Sharing on Reddit forums, shoppers voiced their frustration after discovering that the prices of Red Rock Deli chips had gone up significantly.
Some users pointed out that in 2021, the fan-favourite snacks typically retailed for $4.65, but have subsequently gone up more nearly a dollar to r $5.50 at Coles. Might not sound like a lot, but that’s an increase of nearly 18.5%!
And while the price increase might not seem like much in comparison to how much the cost of other items has gone up, one Melbourne shopper revealed that they had observed the Honey Soy Chicken Red Rock Chips being sold at a Woolworths Metro store for an unbelievable price of $7.60.
You read that right, folks! A price increase of more than $3 for a single bag of chips!
Meanwhile, another Sydney customer posted a snapshot of the brand of chips being sold at Woolworths Pyrmont for $6.50, questioning if other shoppers also observed the significant price increase in their respective local stores.
They asked: 'When did this happen?'
The post captured the attention of hundreds of users, with many expressing their surprise about the cost of chips nowadays.
One user wrote: ‘This is robbery. Damn.'
‘Suddenly that diet seems doable,’ another joked.
A third asked: ‘Are they gold-plated?’
Meanwhile, other Aussie shoppers have found a way around the situation: buying on only the ‘half price’ days.
One person shared: 'Like so many things, I only buy them half price - then I fill the trolley enough to get me through to the next time they’re half price!'
We can all agree that chips and snacks in general just make summer (and full-stop) mealtime more enjoyable. And while many of us naturally assume that there will be an abundance of products on the market at this time of year, the ingredients of this snack — potatoes in particular — are not always plentiful.
The harvest of potatoes has been affected by extreme weather conditions which, in turn, affected the production of chips, according to a Woolworths representative.
The spokesperson said: 'Floods and poor growing conditions across the eastern seaboard resulted in a less than ideal harvest of potatoes, particularly those used to make packet chips or crisps.'
Another problem is the decrease of supply because of poor growing conditions in Tasmania.
It’s not only the chips that are affected by the poor harvest though. The spokesperson said that because of the potato shortage, there is ‘some pressure on potato product pricing and availability’.
The representative continued: 'We’re pleased to say we don’t have any product limits on frozen chips or packet chips.'
It must be noted, however, that we covered a story about how some retailers are imposing purchase limits on frozen chips last month.
A spokesperson for Red Rock Deli also commented on the issue, pointing out that the ‘decisions regarding retail pricing are at the discretion of the individual retail outlet'.
‘Like many local manufacturers, we have experienced significant increases in the cost of making our products. While we take every effort to absorb costs as best we can, we have had to implement wholesale price increases across our portfolio,’ they added.
‘We are committed to offering great value and quality products, and to continue manufacturing them in Australia using locally grown ingredients.’
Key Takeaways
- Woolworths shoppers have taken to social media after noticing an “insane” price rise on a popular brand of chips.
- Shoppers in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne have voiced their disbelief after spotting inflated prices on Red Rock Deli chips.
- A Woolworths spokesperson confirmed that a variety of factors has seen chip prices rise, including floods and poor growing conditions in Tasmania.
- Red Rock Deli chips also acknowledged that 'decisions regarding retail pricing are at the discretion of the individual retail outlet' and stated that 'we have had to implement wholesale price increases across our portfolio'.
It's no secret that Australians love their chips. Whether it's a simple serving of french fries with aioli, a bag of chips with tomato sauce, or a handful of potato chips while enjoying a movie on a Saturday night, we're consistently bringing this timeless favourite into our homes.
We here at the SDC miss the days when buying a bag of chips was actually affordable, but with inflation constantly on the rise these days it doesn’t seem like we’ll see a respite anytime soon.
Members, have you noticed this enormous price hike? If so, have you changed your potato-consuming habits? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments below!