Supermarket secrets unveiled: the little-known grocery savings trick

Price matching sounds complicated, but it could be the key to extra savings in your weekly shop. For those looking into cutting costs at the checkout, understanding supermarket price-matching policies could unlock discounts you didn't even know about.



Price matching is a policy when a supermarket agrees to sell an identical product at the same price as a competitor.

For example, if you see bread on sale for $2.50 at Woolworths, you could ask Coles to match that price.

We have a previous article on how you can have extra savings on items through retailers that also offer price-matching. You can read more about it here.


victoriano-izquierdo-Orcw3QahuS0-unsplash.jpg
Price matching is a supermarket policy that could help you save more. Credit: Unsplash



Several major supermarkets have some form of price matching in place, but policies vary. To score savings, it pays to understand the fine print.

So, what are the major supermarkets’ policies on price matching? Here's what you need to know:



IGA

IGA's long-running Price Match program is one of the most straightforward policies in supermarkets. This promises to automatically match the regular shelf prices of identical products at stores and across hundreds of staple items nationwide.

You can simply check online or in competitor catalogues and pick up the matched products in-store.

Coles and Woolworths

Unlike IGA, Coles and Woolies don't advertise formal price matching. But several shoppers reported independently asking for a match at the checkout and getting the discount.



The key is having proof of the competitor's price. Approach any of the staff at the store and ask if they can match the price.

Pro tip: price matches usually can't be applied at self-service checkouts, so head to a staffed register.

‘We are always monitoring prices in the market to ensure our prices and promotions are highly competitive,’ A representative from Coles stated.

Bunnings

Another generous price-matching policy can be found at Bunnings, where presenting proof of a lower price not only secures a match, but gives you an extra 10 per cent off! This applies to cleaning, pet and food products—great news for those who regularly shop for groceries and household essentials.


photo.jpg
These supermarkets offer price-matching policies. Credit: Seniors Discount Club




ALDI, Costco

ALDI stocks mainly homebrand products so price matching is rare. Costco also doesn't promise to match for its bulk-size products. Instead, you have to shop their regular special buys for the best deals.

Outside designated policies, some stores may match prices at their own discretion. If you’re unsure, it never hurts to ask! The key is staying informed on competitor pricing and having evidence ready to show staff.

Beyond price matching, there are here are other more ways to trim grocery budgets:



  1. Compare prices of supermarket homebrands to big-name brands, as some might be cheaper but work just as well.
  2. Search for discounted labels on products with near expiration dates.
  3. Know the ‘hidden locations’ of the most affordable items. We have an article about this supermarket trick. You can read more about it here.
  4. Check catalogues and shop the weekly specials.
  5. Buy larger or bulk sizes of everyday items.

Key Takeaways

  • Discover the power of price matching to save on your groceries by requesting supermarkets to match competitor prices on identical products.
  • IGA offers a hassle-free Price Match program, while Coles and Woolworths may accommodate price matching requests when you provide proof of a lower price from a competitor.
  • Bunnings stands out with a generous 10 per cent discount in addition to price matching, particularly useful for those shopping for groceries and household essentials.
  • Keep an eye on weekly specials, compare home brands, seek discounts on close-to-expiration products, and buy larger sizes to maximise savings on your grocery bill.

With the insider knowledge of how price matching works, plus savvy shopping habits, you can uncover savings they never knew existed.

What are your supermarket savings trick? Share them on the comments below!
 
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I shop 90% from ALDI. Their butter for example is $4.75 for a 500 gram tub. Milk is cheaper there, fruit + veggs, coffee, etc. etc. They have delicious pre-cooked meals that is affordable. I then go to Coles here in Warrnambool around 6pm on a week night because then they markdown a lot of food. I am on a DP, so I have to have my eyes and ears open en focus. But Aldi is my #1 favourite supermarket and IGA my least favourite supermarket. IGA is super expensive with everything.
 
It always pays to ask, Good Guys will always give a better price if you ask, also managed to get good discount at Harvey Norman For anyone who hasn't tried them Appliances on Line have excellent prices, also free delivery (usually next day). They also set up my new washing machine and took all the packaging away with them.
 
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Price matching is a (well known) and very common practice of most bigger retailers. Go to Officeworks, watch young people who are waiting in line and googling the item for price comparisons at other retailers and if they find it cheaper show to cashier & get that extra 5% off the competitors price. Bunnings advertise the same policy (same parent company) but many things in Bunnings are only available at Bunnings, ie Ryobi Bunnings it the only bricks an mortar place you can buy, so can't price compare with other retailers.
 
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if you have pets (and pet food has gone up extremely!): Petbarn is price matching if you find it online! They often dont accept a screenshot on your phone, so I do my research just before I head over to their shop!
 
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Price matching sounds complicated, but it could be the key to extra savings in your weekly shop. For those looking into cutting costs at the checkout, understanding supermarket price-matching policies could unlock discounts you didn't even know about.



Price matching is a policy when a supermarket agrees to sell an identical product at the same price as a competitor.

For example, if you see bread on sale for $2.50 at Woolworths, you could ask Coles to match that price.

We have a previous article on how you can have extra savings on items through retailers that also offer price-matching. You can read more about it here.


View attachment 32702
Price matching is a supermarket policy that could help you save more. Credit: Unsplash



Several major supermarkets have some form of price matching in place, but policies vary. To score savings, it pays to understand the fine print.

So, what are the major supermarkets’ policies on price matching? Here's what you need to know:



IGA

IGA's long-running Price Match program is one of the most straightforward policies in supermarkets. This promises to automatically match the regular shelf prices of identical products at stores and across hundreds of staple items nationwide.

You can simply check online or in competitor catalogues and pick up the matched products in-store.

Coles and Woolworths

Unlike IGA, Coles and Woolies don't advertise formal price matching. But several shoppers reported independently asking for a match at the checkout and getting the discount.



The key is having proof of the competitor's price. Approach any of the staff at the store and ask if they can match the price.

Pro tip: price matches usually can't be applied at self-service checkouts, so head to a staffed register.

‘We are always monitoring prices in the market to ensure our prices and promotions are highly competitive,’ A representative from Coles stated.

Bunnings

Another generous price-matching policy can be found at Bunnings, where presenting proof of a lower price not only secures a match, but gives you an extra 10 per cent off! This applies to cleaning, pet and food products—great news for those who regularly shop for groceries and household essentials.


View attachment 32701
These supermarkets offer price-matching policies. Credit: Seniors Discount Club




ALDI, Costco

ALDI stocks mainly homebrand products so price matching is rare. Costco also doesn't promise to match for its bulk-size products. Instead, you have to shop their regular special buys for the best deals.

Outside designated policies, some stores may match prices at their own discretion. If you’re unsure, it never hurts to ask! The key is staying informed on competitor pricing and having evidence ready to show staff.

Beyond price matching, there are here are other more ways to trim grocery budgets:



  1. Compare prices of supermarket homebrands to big-name brands, as some might be cheaper but work just as well.
  2. Search for discounted labels on products with near expiration dates.
  3. Know the ‘hidden locations’ of the most affordable items. We have an article about this supermarket trick. You can read more about it here.
  4. Check catalogues and shop the weekly specials.
  5. Buy larger or bulk sizes of everyday items.

Key Takeaways

  • Discover the power of price matching to save on your groceries by requesting supermarkets to match competitor prices on identical products.
  • IGA offers a hassle-free Price Match program, while Coles and Woolworths may accommodate price matching requests when you provide proof of a lower price from a competitor.
  • Bunnings stands out with a generous 10 per cent discount in addition to price matching, particularly useful for those shopping for groceries and household essentials.
  • Keep an eye on weekly specials, compare home brands, seek discounts on close-to-expiration products, and buy larger sizes to maximise savings on your grocery bill.

With the insider knowledge of how price matching works, plus savvy shopping habits, you can uncover savings they never knew existed.

What are your supermarket savings trick? Share them on the comments below!
We even price match with our Chemist, they have been great with this...
 
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We even price match with our Chemist, they have been great with this...
You are lucky with your chemist.Some of my scripts have become hard to get lately,a lot of meds are on low availability for periods of time,so my doctor told me to just phone around Because of this I phoned 8 different chemists that wouldn't be more than a five minute drive in distance from one another.The price for exactly the same thing was different in 7 of the 8 chemists!!!Some charging nearly 75 percent more gor exactly the same thing.I was too embarrassed to ask them why they were overcharging till the last two.I was told that we can sell our products at whatever write up we want.Our perogative and your choice ho buy or not to buy.So lucky you if your chemist price matches.I just buy and pay whatever I get asked if the meds are important and necessary.PS.Chemust warehouse has always been cheaper do far.
 
We have a chemist we go to regularly, but I have gone to Chemist Warehouse for items not related to a script, but I have also asked our chemist to price match if I am there anyway getting scripts and I knew that an item I needed example coloxyl is on special at Chemist Warehouse. They check it out and then I get it for the price I would have spent at Chemist Warehouse. Not only does it save me a trip I am not using extra petrol when not needed.
 
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