Shoppers up in arms over Woolworths’ $80 Christmas dessert

As the holiday season approaches, people are reminded of all the things there is to love about this time of year: the decorations, the Christmas tunes, the festive spirit, and the delicious meals and desserts people will share with each other.

But there is one thing that can put a damper on the festive mood: the expense. It's no secret that the holidays can add significant strain to an already stretched budget, which is why many people like to plan and budget ahead for the Christmas period.


Though many have grown savvy when it comes to thrifty holiday spending, it's still possible to be taken aback when you shop for a popular treat and feel as if you're shelling out an unnecessarily hefty sum.

This is exactly what happened to one Woolworths shopper who, according to their post on social media, was astonished to see that Ray’s Traditional HomeMade Plum Puddings cost $35, $52, $67 and a staggering $80 in store!

Unsurprisingly, the picture he shared of the range raised a few eyebrows in the comments section.


Screenshot 2023-12-05 071012.png
People were surprised with the price range of this plum pudding in Woolworths. Image: Facebook


'Woolworths, please tell me that you’re pulling my leg with these prices,' he wrote in his post alongside the photo.

When contacted for comment by a news source, a Woolworths spokesperson had this to say:

'We support a number of Australian suppliers to help bring their unique products to market. This particular product has been handmade since 1930, and at 1.8 kilos serves 16 people.'

The spokesperson also clarified that the product is a high-quality, luxury item made by small suppliers—which explains the high price.


'We know people are looking for value, so all our stores also offer a range of value options starting from our Classic Plum Pudding which is $5.50,’ the spokesperson added.

Woolworths also offers varieties a more affordable pudding options, including:
  • Woolworths Classic Plum Pudding 700g - $5.50
  • Woolworths Decadent Chocolate Sponge Pudding 500g - $7.80
  • Woolworths Indulgent Salted Caramel Pudding 500g - $7.80
It's also worth noting that Ray’s HomeMade Plum Puddings are also sold in Coles dropping the prices down by even more during the Christmas season. Prices there range from $35 to $80.

This comes after an inquiry is expected to scrutinise Woolworths and Coles supermarkets as to whether their customers are being subjected to 'price gouging' during economic hardship.

This inquiry will also look into other factors that could be affecting their prices, such as their own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation.

You can read the full story here.


If you’re planning your holiday feast, it’s crucial to do a bit of careful research beforehand to get a better sense of what's worth spending your hard-earned cash on and what's simply an extravagant treat.

Key Takeaways
  • A Woolworths customer has expressed shock over an $80 plum pudding in stores.
  • The shopper shared an image of Ray's Traditional Home Made Plum Puddings, with prices varying from $35 to $80.
  • A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that the high price is due to the product being handmade since 1930 by a smaller supplier.
  • Woolworths offers a range of more affordable Christmas dessert options, including a Classic Plum Pudding for $5.50.

What do you think of this story? Do you think the plum pudding is overpriced? Let us know in the comments below!
 
Sponsored
Wouldn't buy a Rays Plum Pudding regardless. Knew Ray personally when we owned our own butcher shops in Melbourne. His big claim to fame was that he would never supply to supermarkets, yeah right! I can tell you that there is very little mark up in this product, they are expensive even to buy wholesale.
 
As the holiday season approaches, people are reminded of all the things there is to love about this time of year: the decorations, the Christmas tunes, the festive spirit, and the delicious meals and desserts people will share with each other.

But there is one thing that can put a damper on the festive mood: the expense. It's no secret that the holidays can add significant strain to an already stretched budget, which is why many people like to plan and budget ahead for the Christmas period.


Though many have grown savvy when it comes to thrifty holiday spending, it's still possible to be taken aback when you shop for a popular treat and feel as if you're shelling out an unnecessarily hefty sum.

This is exactly what happened to one Woolworths shopper who, according to their post on social media, was astonished to see that Ray’s Traditional HomeMade Plum Puddings cost $35, $52, $67 and a staggering $80 in store!

Unsurprisingly, the picture he shared of the range raised a few eyebrows in the comments section.


View attachment 36624
People were surprised with the price range of this plum pudding in Woolworths. Image: Facebook


'Woolworths, please tell me that you’re pulling my leg with these prices,' he wrote in his post alongside the photo.

When contacted for comment by a news source, a Woolworths spokesperson had this to say:

'We support a number of Australian suppliers to help bring their unique products to market. This particular product has been handmade since 1930, and at 1.8 kilos serves 16 people.'

The spokesperson also clarified that the product is a high-quality, luxury item made by small suppliers—which explains the high price.


'We know people are looking for value, so all our stores also offer a range of value options starting from our Classic Plum Pudding which is $5.50,’ the spokesperson added.

Woolworths also offers varieties a more affordable pudding options, including:
  • Woolworths Classic Plum Pudding 700g - $5.50
  • Woolworths Decadent Chocolate Sponge Pudding 500g - $7.80
  • Woolworths Indulgent Salted Caramel Pudding 500g - $7.80
It's also worth noting that Ray’s HomeMade Plum Puddings are also sold in Coles dropping the prices down by even more during the Christmas season. Prices there range from $35 to $80.

This comes after an inquiry is expected to scrutinise Woolworths and Coles supermarkets as to whether their customers are being subjected to 'price gouging' during economic hardship.

This inquiry will also look into other factors that could be affecting their prices, such as their own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation.

You can read the full story here.


If you’re planning your holiday feast, it’s crucial to do a bit of careful research beforehand to get a better sense of what's worth spending your hard-earned cash on and what's simply an extravagant treat.

Key Takeaways

  • A Woolworths customer has expressed shock over an $80 plum pudding in stores.
  • The shopper shared an image of Ray's Traditional Home Made Plum Puddings, with prices varying from $35 to $80.
  • A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that the high price is due to the product being handmade since 1930 by a smaller supplier.
  • Woolworths offers a range of more affordable Christmas dessert options, including a Classic Plum Pudding for $5.50.

What do you think of this story? Do you think the plum pudding is overpriced? Let us know in the comments below!
What's in it to be such a price gold guineas?
 
I still have a bottle of the old coins and are put to use at Xmas my grandkids were surprised the first time they found a coin in the pudding ,and I explained it was a old tradition when I was younger.
I still have the three pences and sixpences that my mum used over the years.....she always used clear glass bowls and used to tape a two shilling piece on the bottom of the outside of the bowl....so after you had eaten just about all of the pudding and found the coins, there at the bottom of the glass bowl you could just make out this two shilling piece and you would hurriedly scrape away to get it....it was a fun joke at the time. 🤗😂
 
can always gamble on waiting until it's closer to xmas when these items drop dramatically. It's only those that buy on first display or the FOMO buyers that pay the full 'recommended retail'.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie
As the holiday season approaches, people are reminded of all the things there is to love about this time of year: the decorations, the Christmas tunes, the festive spirit, and the delicious meals and desserts people will share with each other.

But there is one thing that can put a damper on the festive mood: the expense. It's no secret that the holidays can add significant strain to an already stretched budget, which is why many people like to plan and budget ahead for the Christmas period.


Though many have grown savvy when it comes to thrifty holiday spending, it's still possible to be taken aback when you shop for a popular treat and feel as if you're shelling out an unnecessarily hefty sum.

This is exactly what happened to one Woolworths shopper who, according to their post on social media, was astonished to see that Ray’s Traditional HomeMade Plum Puddings cost $35, $52, $67 and a staggering $80 in store!

Unsurprisingly, the picture he shared of the range raised a few eyebrows in the comments section.


View attachment 36624
People were surprised with the price range of this plum pudding in Woolworths. Image: Facebook


'Woolworths, please tell me that you’re pulling my leg with these prices,' he wrote in his post alongside the photo.

When contacted for comment by a news source, a Woolworths spokesperson had this to say:

'We support a number of Australian suppliers to help bring their unique products to market. This particular product has been handmade since 1930, and at 1.8 kilos serves 16 people.'

The spokesperson also clarified that the product is a high-quality, luxury item made by small suppliers—which explains the high price.


'We know people are looking for value, so all our stores also offer a range of value options starting from our Classic Plum Pudding which is $5.50,’ the spokesperson added.

Woolworths also offers varieties a more affordable pudding options, including:
  • Woolworths Classic Plum Pudding 700g - $5.50
  • Woolworths Decadent Chocolate Sponge Pudding 500g - $7.80
  • Woolworths Indulgent Salted Caramel Pudding 500g - $7.80
It's also worth noting that Ray’s HomeMade Plum Puddings are also sold in Coles dropping the prices down by even more during the Christmas season. Prices there range from $35 to $80.

This comes after an inquiry is expected to scrutinise Woolworths and Coles supermarkets as to whether their customers are being subjected to 'price gouging' during economic hardship.

This inquiry will also look into other factors that could be affecting their prices, such as their own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation.

You can read the full story here.


If you’re planning your holiday feast, it’s crucial to do a bit of careful research beforehand to get a better sense of what's worth spending your hard-earned cash on and what's simply an extravagant treat.

Key Takeaways

  • A Woolworths customer has expressed shock over an $80 plum pudding in stores.
  • The shopper shared an image of Ray's Traditional Home Made Plum Puddings, with prices varying from $35 to $80.
  • A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that the high price is due to the product being handmade since 1930 by a smaller supplier.
  • Woolworths offers a range of more affordable Christmas dessert options, including a Classic Plum Pudding for $5.50.

What do you think of this story? Do you think the plum pudding is overpriced? Let us know in the comments below!wellespecially given it`s size, i would have left it there.-- i would refuse to pay more than $5 for it.
Is Woolworths prepared to tell us what their markup is on these puddings,

Nobody would mind paying thise prices if the markup was very small.
 
I use a traditional Dundee fruit cake recipe now costs me nearly $40 as only use top ingredients weighs approx 2kls plus
Have you seen the price of the dried fruit that goes into one of these.

I make fruit cakes and plum puddings. The mixture I marinate is for both the fruit cake and plum pudding ,it differs before cooking.

It cost me probably $80 to make both .
I do a mixture that will make 1 large fruit cake and 1 plum pudding

Ingredients
Prunes
Dates
Apricots
Sultanas
Raisins
Currants
Scotch
Orange juice
Brown sugar
A jar of fig conserve

Each packet of fruit is $6 plus ,some packets I use two

I marinate the above mixture for at least 4 weeks with mixing twice a week

Then there is the flour, eggs and butter for cooking

I've had alot of people willing to pay big for my cakes

I'm happy to share my recipe, let me know and I will send it to you via message
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie and magpie1
I made my Christmas puddings last weekend, using Nigella Lawson’s ultimate recipe. I add blanched almonds to the mix and soak the fruit and nuts for a week , then add the rest of the ingredients just prior to steaming them for 3 hours.
Given the cost of the ingredients, I’m not surprised that an $80 price-tag is put on a 1.6 kg pud. The cost of the brandy is $17 alone and that’s using Aldi’s brandy @ $33.99.
The mix made 5 smaller puddings and I can gift 4 of them as 1 pudding will suffice for Xmas day. If you’re selling puddings, you’ve got to make a profit, so if you don’t want to pay the price, then make your own.
 
  • Like
Reactions: magpie1 and Knell
I have not eaten a traditional English Plum Pudding complete with sixpences since the 1960s My Grandmother always made them but sadly my Mum never did, when Gran passed away her recipe went with her, none of the family could remember ever having it given to them. Like my Mum I have never been a desert or pudding cook and find it a lot easier to just buy them ready made. I like the little individual ones that some stores offer each year, there is absolutely no point in me buying or even trying to make a larger size one because my husband really dislikes Plum pudding so over the years I have slowly removed it from our Christmas food list. Being rather sentimental by nature I find it sad when simple traditions around food for Christmas just die away.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie and magpie1
I have not eaten a traditional English Plum Pudding complete with sixpences since the 1960s My Grandmother always made them but sadly my Mum never did, when Gran passed away her recipe went with her, none of the family could remember ever having it given to them. Like my Mum I have never been a desert or pudding cook and find it a lot easier to just buy them ready made. I like the little individual ones that some stores offer each year, there is absolutely no point in me buying or even trying to make a larger size one because my husband really dislikes Plum pudding so over the years I have slowly removed it from our Christmas food list. Being rather sentimental by nature I find it sad when simple traditions around food for Christmas just die away.
they will only die away if you let them.....go out and find a nice small Christmas pudding, just for yourself and ENJOY a very Merry Christmas.....🤗🤶🎄🥂
 
  • Love
  • Like
Reactions: Leenie and Gaena
1kg mixed dried fruit
400g can condensed milk
3/4 cup Baileys Irish Cream
2cups S R flour
In a large bowl combine dried fruit,condensed milk,Baileys and 1/2 cup water.mix well ,cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from fridge and stir well allowing to come to room temperature.preheat oven to 150 c .grease and line a 20 cm round cake tin with baking paper. Fold flour through soaked fruit. Pour into tin smooth top . Bake for2 hrs until a skewer comes out clean.checking at1 1/2 hrs and c over with foil if browning too quickly.note add some glacé cherries 🍒 if you like .i always add cherries. Happy baking. .
You should add this recipe to the cooking section 😋
 
As the holiday season approaches, people are reminded of all the things there is to love about this time of year: the decorations, the Christmas tunes, the festive spirit, and the delicious meals and desserts people will share with each other.

But there is one thing that can put a damper on the festive mood: the expense. It's no secret that the holidays can add significant strain to an already stretched budget, which is why many people like to plan and budget ahead for the Christmas period.


Though many have grown savvy when it comes to thrifty holiday spending, it's still possible to be taken aback when you shop for a popular treat and feel as if you're shelling out an unnecessarily hefty sum.

This is exactly what happened to one Woolworths shopper who, according to their post on social media, was astonished to see that Ray’s Traditional HomeMade Plum Puddings cost $35, $52, $67 and a staggering $80 in store!

Unsurprisingly, the picture he shared of the range raised a few eyebrows in the comments section.


View attachment 36624
People were surprised with the price range of this plum pudding in Woolworths. Image: Facebook


'Woolworths, please tell me that you’re pulling my leg with these prices,' he wrote in his post alongside the photo.

When contacted for comment by a news source, a Woolworths spokesperson had this to say:

'We support a number of Australian suppliers to help bring their unique products to market. This particular product has been handmade since 1930, and at 1.8 kilos serves 16 people.'

The spokesperson also clarified that the product is a high-quality, luxury item made by small suppliers—which explains the high price.


'We know people are looking for value, so all our stores also offer a range of value options starting from our Classic Plum Pudding which is $5.50,’ the spokesperson added.

Woolworths also offers varieties a more affordable pudding options, including:
  • Woolworths Classic Plum Pudding 700g - $5.50
  • Woolworths Decadent Chocolate Sponge Pudding 500g - $7.80
  • Woolworths Indulgent Salted Caramel Pudding 500g - $7.80
It's also worth noting that Ray’s HomeMade Plum Puddings are also sold in Coles dropping the prices down by even more during the Christmas season. Prices there range from $35 to $80.

This comes after an inquiry is expected to scrutinise Woolworths and Coles supermarkets as to whether their customers are being subjected to 'price gouging' during economic hardship.

This inquiry will also look into other factors that could be affecting their prices, such as their own brand products, market concentration, corporate profit hikes and the extraction of cost-savings from employees and consumers through automation.

You can read the full story here.


If you’re planning your holiday feast, it’s crucial to do a bit of careful research beforehand to get a better sense of what's worth spending your hard-earned cash on and what's simply an extravagant treat.

Key Takeaways

  • A Woolworths customer has expressed shock over an $80 plum pudding in stores.
  • The shopper shared an image of Ray's Traditional Home Made Plum Puddings, with prices varying from $35 to $80.
  • A spokesperson for Woolworths explained that the high price is due to the product being handmade since 1930 by a smaller supplier.
  • Woolworths offers a range of more affordable Christmas dessert options, including a Classic Plum Pudding for $5.50.

What do you think of this story? Do you think the plum pudding is overpriced? Let us know in the comments below!
I guess it's a case of the devil you know.
Either you sacrifice quality for price....or....take out a loan for quality.
Doesn't really matter to me. I don't like christmas puddings, or cakes. Don't even bother buying them for visitors.
 
To be honest nothing beats homemade fruitcake or plum pudding .

Shop brought cannot compare !!
Very true Suzanne rose, I remember my dear Mum used to make a number of these at Christmas, some for friends and one for the family, I'm pretty sure that she used a drop or two or three of Brandy in her recipe, anyway whatever it was they were absolutely the best tasting 'pud ever. Anyway today I'm left with a woolies plum pudding left in the cupboard from last year.....that will have to do with some hot custard or cream, because I'm certainly not shelling out all of that money for the real puddings no matter how good they are.
 
Very true Suzanne rose, I remember my dear Mum used to make a number of these at Christmas, some for friends and one for the family, I'm pretty sure that she used a drop or two or three of Brandy in her recipe, anyway whatever it was they were absolutely the best tasting 'pud ever. Anyway today I'm left with a woolies plum pudding left in the cupboard from last year.....that will have to do with some hot custard or cream, because I'm certainly not shelling out all of that money for the real puddings no matter how good they are.
I love custard with plum pudding
 
  • Like
Reactions: magpie1
@ Suzanne Rose you might like to as I am not that tech savvy ,I am only good at emails and letters not up on all the rest.
It was one of four that was published last year I can’t remember where.
 

Join the conversation

News, deals, games, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.

Seniors Discount Club

The SDC searches for the best deals, discounts, and bargains for Aussies over 60. From everyday expenses like groceries and eating out, to electronics, fashion and travel, the club is all about helping you make your money go further.
  1. New members
  2. Jokes & fun
  3. Photography
  4. Nostalgia / Yesterday's Australia
  5. Food and Lifestyle
  6. Money Saving Hacks
  7. Offtopic / Everything else
  • We believe that retirement should be a time to relax and enjoy life, not worry about money. That's why we're here to help our members make the most of their retirement years. If you're over 60 and looking for ways to save money, connect with others, and have a laugh, we’d love to have you aboard.
  • Advertise with us

User Menu

Enjoyed Reading our Story?

  • Share this forum to your loved ones.
Change Weather Postcode×
Change Petrol Postcode×