Western Australians are paying more for groceries compared to those in the eastern states, according to a report by the consumer advocacy group Choice. The report, which assesses supermarket prices by buying 14 common groceries from different supermarkets, found that Aldi shoppers across Australia continue to get the best deal on average.
In March this year, the cost of a basket of items, excluding specials, was $55.35 at Aldi, $58.92 at Woolworths, $59.22 at Coles, and $69.74 at IGA. When savings from available specials were taken into account, the Aldi basket cost $54.44, compared to $57.67 at Coles, $58.86 at Woolworths, and $67.54 at IGA.
To conduct its survey, Choice sent undercover shoppers into 104 supermarkets across the country and found that Western Australians paid more in March than shoppers in the mainland eastern states at Woolworths, Coles, and IGA. Aldi prices varied very little between locations, but Western Australians paid up to $2.70 more for apples at the discount chain.
The report also revealed that shoppers in New South Wales paid less than other states at Woolworths and IGA, while those in the ACT and NSW got the best deal at Aldi. In Queensland, shoppers paid less than their fellow Australians at Coles.
Choice noted that the difference in prices between Coles and Woolworths and discount chain Aldi had narrowed since December 2024. In December, a basket without specials cost $51.36 at Aldi, $69.63 at Woolworths, and $67.84 at Coles.
Based on consumer feedback, Choice has again changed its approach by switching some of the 14 items in the basket seasonally based on what people are buying. The latest basket included products people are more likely to buy in winter, such as porridge oats and hot chocolate.
The next quarterly survey by Choice will be conducted after Woolworths and Coles announced they would cut the prices of hundreds of items. Aldi has responded by lowering its prices, according to analysis by JP Morgan of a range of categories including meat, cheese, bread, frozen products, and nappies. Released on Wednesday, the investment bank report found Woolworths prices were 8.6% higher than those at Aldi this month, while Coles prices were 8.2% higher.
While there are hopes of intensifying competition in the supermarket sector, experts have previously said there is not enough competitive pressure in the domestic market to have a genuine “price war.”
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jun/25/latest-choice-survey-reveals-australias-grocery-price-divide-at-major-supermarkets
