ACCC report finds Australians have lost trust in supermarkets as it focuses on Coles and Woolworths' market power and barriers to entry
5 months, 3 weeks ago

ACCC report finds Australians have lost trust in supermarkets as it focuses on Coles and Woolworths' market power and barriers to entry

ABC  

A new report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has found many Australians have lost trust in supermarkets as it investigates Coles and Woolworths' market power and potential barriers to entry in the sector. Mr Keogh said food price inflation is lower in Australia than in most OECD countries but they will be looking closely at the extent to which any market power held by the supermarkets "has a role in increasing prices to consumers or decreasing prices to suppliers". Retail prices and supplier complaints also in focus Monash University professor and former ACCC chairman Graeme Samuel said the interim report had "revealed nothing that a superficial knowledge of the industry would have known". In its report, it found Coles and Woolworths provide broadly similar supermarket offerings and "appear to price at similar levels and offer similar non-price offerings".

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History of this topic

Coles and Woolworths' loyalty programs could be influencing customers more than they realise, according to ACCC inquiry
1 day, 4 hours ago

Coles and Woolworths' loyalty programs could be influencing customers more than they realise, according to ACCC inquiry

ABC  

The "gamification" of supermarket loyalty programs could be influencing customers without them realising, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. "The number of shoppers using the loyalty programs offered through Coles and Woolworths is growing," the report said. " " Consumers 'may not be aware' of the real discount The "complexity and opacity" of supermarket loyalty programs, according to …

From price gouging to promotion tactics, here are the key takeaways from the ACCC's supermarkets report
2 days, 4 hours ago

From price gouging to promotion tactics, here are the key takeaways from the ACCC's supermarkets report

ABC  

It's been 12 months in the making, but an inquiry into Australia's supermarkets by the competition watchdog has been unable to conclude whether price gouging is taking place. Woolies and Coles have 'limited incentive' to compete hard on price, ACCC finds Photo shows A Woolworths sign next to a Coles sign outside the shops The consumer watchdog finds Australia's supermarkets …

Woolworths and Coles are emphasising the threat of Aldi — is it really a competitive force to be reckoned with?
4 months ago

Woolworths and Coles are emphasising the threat of Aldi — is it really a competitive force to be reckoned with?

ABC  

Admittedly, the ACCC's supermarket inquiry has lacked the drama of this year's Senate probe —which saw then-Woolworths boss Brad Banducci threatened with jail time. Why Woolworths thinks Amazon is big competition Photo shows A Woolworths logo in Adelaide's Rundle Mall The supermarket giant told Australia's competition watchdog its competition went far beyond Coles, Aldi, and Costco. According to the ACCC's …

Woolworths spends millions as emerging competitor Amazon encroaches on similar products
4 months ago

Woolworths spends millions as emerging competitor Amazon encroaches on similar products

ABC  

Australian supermarket giants have told the consumer watchdog they are concerned about growing competition from Amazon. Coles chief executive Leah Weckert said Amazon could be "quite disruptive" to its business model, and this was part of the reason it had invested in two automated distribution centres. Coles, Woolies look to the web An IBISWorld report from October using its own …

Coles faces ACCC supermarket inquiry, ASX closes down after Bitcoin hits record high, Mineral Resources fronts investors — as it happened
4 months ago

Coles faces ACCC supermarket inquiry, ASX closes down after Bitcoin hits record high, Mineral Resources fronts investors — as it happened

ABC  

Over the course of the past decade Metcash's share of the market has decreased. But Aldi is seen as a significant as a "significant and credible competitor" and she says the German supermarket player has positioned themselves as "the lowest price". "The vast majority of the population, I believe it's something like 75 per cent of the population, have an …

ACCC's supermarket inquiry to hear from Woolworths followed by its rival, Coles
4 months ago

ACCC's supermarket inquiry to hear from Woolworths followed by its rival, Coles

ABC  

It might not have the explosive drama of a Senate inquiry but for the past 10 days hearings led by Australia's consumer watchdog have been quietly unpicking the mechanics of the nation's supermarkets. "The chain stores have grown in size, and it's become a real duopoly, and it's been unchecked by governments," Mr Hall told ABC News. The ACCC's scope …

ACCC inquiry hears supermarkets lure customers with sales at farmers' expense
4 months, 1 week ago

ACCC inquiry hears supermarkets lure customers with sales at farmers' expense

ABC  

A national vegetable grower group has told the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission supermarket inquiry that specials are used as "clickbait" to lure in shoppers, sometimes at the expense of growers' profits. Mr Crisera claimed loss-leader fruit at Aldi created a "false market price" for growers, who were also supplying Coles and Woolworths. Aldi said it often reduced retail prices …

Aldi boss explains why their groceries are so much cheaper - as he takes a swipe at Coles and Woolworths
4 months, 1 week ago

Aldi boss explains why their groceries are so much cheaper - as he takes a swipe at Coles and Woolworths

Daily Mail  

A senior Aldi executive has taken a swipe at major competitors Coles and Woolworths while revealing why the German discounter is so much cheaper. Jordan Lack, Aldi's managing director of buying in Australia, said the chain was more focused on providing cheap prices than convenience during a cost of living crisis. A senior Aldi executive has taken a swipe at …

Grocery prices at Coles and Woolworths go up and down. What's behind the pattern?
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Grocery prices at Coles and Woolworths go up and down. What's behind the pattern?

ABC  

If you were to grab a box of Cadbury Favourites off the supermarket shelf, how much would it cost? The thinking behind high-low price changes Sanjoy Paul, an associate professor in operations and supply chain management at the University of Technology Sydney's business school, said these price movements were a retail strategy called "high-low" pricing. Sales prices condition consumers Dr …

How do Australia's grocery prices compare to the UK, Ireland and New Zealand?
5 months, 3 weeks ago

How do Australia's grocery prices compare to the UK, Ireland and New Zealand?

ABC  

We all know the cost of groceries has gone up in Australia. "While we do not go as far as to say that Woolworths and Coles control prices, they possibly monitor each other's moves very closely," Dr Macau said. The comparison looked at the two largest supermarkets in each country, to mimic Australia's Coles-Woolworths duopoly, which has 65 per cent …

Aldi is still cheaper than Coles and Woolworths, which are 'almost identical on prices', Choice survey finds
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Aldi is still cheaper than Coles and Woolworths, which are 'almost identical on prices', Choice survey finds

ABC  

Buying a basket of Aldi groceries is $18 cheaper when compared with the same items sold at Coles and Woolworths, according to new Choice research, which again found little price difference between the two major grocers. Shopping List: Apples Carrots Weet-Bix Sliced white bread Flour Penne White sugar Tea bags Tinned diced tomatoes Block of tasty cheese Full-cream dairy milk …

Aldi crowned by Choice as Australia's cheapest supermarket
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Aldi crowned by Choice as Australia's cheapest supermarket

Daily Mail  

Aldi remains the most affordable supermarket chain to do your weekly shop, beating Coles, Woolies and IGA by up to $28.16, the second government-commissioned report in supermarket prices has revealed. More than 104 visits conducted at supermarkets across the country by CHOICE mystery shoppers revealed the same basket of groceries cost $50.79 at Aldi, $66.22 at Coles, $68.70 at Woolworths, …

Coles and Woolworths accused of 'sneaky' tactic impacting Australian shoppers
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Coles and Woolworths accused of 'sneaky' tactic impacting Australian shoppers

Daily Mail  

The psychology of supermarket shoppers is in focus as Coles and Woolworths stand accused of sneaky price practices. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said the duopoly would briefly jack up product prices by around 15 per cent, before dropping them to below the peak but above the initial price. Dr Harrison said supermarkets and retailers would be aware of …

Coles and Woolworths hit with more reputational damage after year of negative headlines
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Coles and Woolworths hit with more reputational damage after year of negative headlines

ABC  

With the price of everyday items front of mind for many consumers at the check-outs, it shouldn't come as a shock that the actions of our major supermarket giants are under the microscope. After months of scrutiny over supermarket prices, the court action is yet another blow to Coles' and Woolworths' reputations, which were already under a cloud due to …

Coles and Woolworths promised discounts for years. Now the ACCC alleges they 'misled' customers on more than 500 products
6 months ago

Coles and Woolworths promised discounts for years. Now the ACCC alleges they 'misled' customers on more than 500 products

ABC  

Supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles have been accused of using their "Prices Dropped" and "Down Down" promotions to mislead Australian shoppers. Supermarket prices increased 'by at least 15 per cent' Both supermarkets allegedly offered certain products at their regular price "for at least 180 days", according to the ACCC. "The ACCC alleged the display of the Prices Dropped and Down …

Woolworths and Coles accused of disgraceful act
6 months ago

Woolworths and Coles accused of disgraceful act

Daily Mail  

Australia's two biggest supermarket chains will face court over allegations they misled customers with fake discounts. The consumer watchdog claims both retailers bumped prices of products by 15 per cent for brief periods before placing them in Woolworths' Prices Dropped promotion and Coles' Down Down promotion at prices that were actually the same as, or higher than, their regular price. …

Old Woolworths receipt exposes grim reality of shopping in Australia today
6 months, 2 weeks ago

Old Woolworths receipt exposes grim reality of shopping in Australia today

Daily Mail  

An old supermarket docket has exposed just how much more Australians are paying at the checkout. 'Australians are now paying up to 200 per cent more for basic grocery items than they were a few years ago! An old supermarket docket has exposed just how much more Australians are paying at the checkout A 1.25l bottle of Coke is now …

Woolworths boss walks away from the supermarket with multi-million dollar payout as Oxfam declares Aussies are fed up with Woolies and Coles duopoly
6 months, 3 weeks ago

Woolworths boss walks away from the supermarket with multi-million dollar payout as Oxfam declares Aussies are fed up with Woolies and Coles duopoly

Daily Mail  

Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci has left the grocery giant with a payout reported to be as much as $24million as new research shows struggling Aussies want more accountability from the big two supermarkets. Woolworths, which makes 2.5 cents off every dollar spent, this week announced an initial net profit of $1.7 billion, down 0.6 per cent from the year before. …

If supermarket inquiries alone provided cost-of-living relief, groceries would already be cheaper at the check-out
9 months ago

If supermarket inquiries alone provided cost-of-living relief, groceries would already be cheaper at the check-out

ABC  

It was always going to be a matter of when, not if, Coles and Woolworths would fall from the public's good graces. The tactics Coles and Woolworths use to keep prices high, and competitors out Photo shows A number of illustrations of grocery items, like milk, apples, sausages, around two 'specials' signs 'half price' and '40% off'. ACCC to investigate …

Woolworths flags customer caution amid sales slowdown and cost-of-living pain
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Woolworths flags customer caution amid sales slowdown and cost-of-living pain

Live Mint  

May 2 - Australia's Woolworths warned of continued caution among consumers and cost-of-living pressures on Thursday, even as inflation moderated, as the supermarkets operator faced a slowdown in sales from its biggest segment, Australian Food. "Customers are looking for more ways to save," Banducci said, while customer segments across the Australian Food division reported highest levels of concern amid a …

Woolworths, Coles and Aldi accused of using promotional labels that confuse and may mislead supermarket shoppers
11 months ago

Woolworths, Coles and Aldi accused of using promotional labels that confuse and may mislead supermarket shoppers

ABC  

In short: A Choice survey of supermarket shoppers found many mistakenly believe some promotional tags meant they were receiving a discounted price. A variety of price tags from Woolworths, Coles and Aldi — including "While Stocks Last", "Super Savers", "Down Down", "Prices Dropped" and "Member Price" — were examined in the research and more than 1,000 consumers across the country …

Supermarket price gouging: Rise in farmers selling directly to customers
1 year ago

Supermarket price gouging: Rise in farmers selling directly to customers

Daily Mail  

A growing number of Aussie farmers want shoppers to buy directly from them as supermarkets come under increased scrutiny due to rising prices. Pictured is Bianca Tarrant and Dave McGiveron, founders of farm-direct service Our Cow A growing number of Australians are opting to use farm-direct delivery services than buy their weekly shop at major supermarkets like Coles and Woolworths …

Anthony Albanese backs new supermarket chain to challenge Australian 'duopoly'
1 year ago

Anthony Albanese backs new supermarket chain to challenge Australian 'duopoly'

Daily Mail  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he supports the idea of a new supermarket chain entering the market to boost competition in the country. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed Coles and Woolworths had 'excessive market power' and flagged measures to encourage new supermarket entrants into Australia to help prices and competition 'We have effectively a duopoly in large parts of …

How did Coles and Woolworths become so powerful? The story of the big two supermarkets
1 year, 1 month ago

How did Coles and Woolworths become so powerful? The story of the big two supermarkets

ABC  

Australia is the land of the supermarket duopoly — where the big two of Coles and Woolworths control 65 per cent of the grocery market. "One of the key strategic innovations in Australian business history is that both Coles and Woolworths pivot in the 1950s … They decided to go into food." Gary Mortimer, a professor of marketing at Queensland …

The tactics Coles and Woolworths use to maintain their power over Australia's grocery market
1 year, 1 month ago

The tactics Coles and Woolworths use to maintain their power over Australia's grocery market

ABC  

Coles and Woolworths say they're looking out for you – they are the fresh food people or the home of everyday low prices. Meanwhile, an industry insider says Woolworths began a campaign 18 months ago to increase its profit margins – asking to "share" in any price increases it granted to its suppliers. Coles CEO Leah Weckert says she wasn't …

Supermarket industry insiders reveal how Coles and Woolworths profit off rising prices
1 year, 1 month ago

Supermarket industry insiders reveal how Coles and Woolworths profit off rising prices

ABC  

In short: Emails show how Coles increases the prices you pay for products in return for one-off payments from its suppliers. Shoppers 'getting screwed' The emails show Coles received a one-off payment from a multinational supplier for allowing a price increase, then passed on this cost to customers. The price increase of around 5 per cent, which the supplier sought …

Supermarkets as you know them are disappearing from our inner cities — and it means more uncertainty about what you'll pay
1 year, 1 month ago

Supermarkets as you know them are disappearing from our inner cities — and it means more uncertainty about what you'll pay

ABC  

Supermarkets as we once knew them are quietly disappearing from inner-city suburbs. Springing up in their place are boutique "metro" or "local" iterations, a version of a Woolworths or Coles grocery store that depending on where you are could mean it's smaller than a traditional supermarket, stocks a bespoke range of local products, hosts a sushi bar, artisan bakery, or …

Coles and Woolworths make their defence on supermarket prices to Senate inquiry
1 year, 1 month ago

Coles and Woolworths make their defence on supermarket prices to Senate inquiry

ABC  

In short: Coles has pointed to wage rises, supplier cost increases and high energy prices as some reasons for high grocery prices in recent months. "We work constructively with our suppliers on promotional campaigns to offer great value to customers and to limit or defer the impact of supplier cost price increases to keep costs low for customers." Woolworths confident …

The ACCC will be investigating supermarket pricing. Here's what the watchdog can and can't do
1 year, 1 month ago

The ACCC will be investigating supermarket pricing. Here's what the watchdog can and can't do

ABC  

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced another investigation into supermarket prices, amid growing concerns over the cost of groceries. Mr Albanese also said advocacy group Choice would be getting funding to "provide clear regular information on prices across a basket of goods". So far, we know the ACCC will investigate: the relationship between wholesale, farmgate and retail prices barriers to …

Are supermarkets price-gouging customers? The answer may be more complicated than it seems
1 year, 1 month ago

Are supermarkets price-gouging customers? The answer may be more complicated than it seems

ABC  

Given the high prices people are paying, supermarket chains aren't super popular with the Australian public right now. "Our recent national survey asked consumers what they thought of the prices being charged by major supermarkets, and 60 per cent of people told us they believe the increases seen at Coles and Woolworths are not simply due to higher costs and …

Pressure mounts for ACCC inquiry into supermarket pricing amid claim farmers being paid 1978 prices
1 year, 2 months ago

Pressure mounts for ACCC inquiry into supermarket pricing amid claim farmers being paid 1978 prices

ABC  

As grocery prices rose and major supermarkets made billion-dollar profits last year, one of Australia's most generous farmers lost $9 million — and he is now considering whether rock-bottom "1978" prices will force him to leave the industry he loves. Key points: Trevor Cross has backed calls for an ACCC inquiry into alleged supermarket price gouging Queensland's premier has asked …

Coles and Woolworths set to face a Senate inquiry. NZ has been down this road before
1 year, 3 months ago

Coles and Woolworths set to face a Senate inquiry. NZ has been down this road before

ABC  

At Australia's annual Christmas lunch the biggest slice of pie will again go to Coles and Woolworths, and while a new inquiry looks set to examine their profit margins, New Zealand offers a lesson in just how difficult it is to disrupt a duopoly. The study found New Zealand's grocery sector was dominated by a duopoly and those conditions led …

Greens move to establish Senate inquiry into allegations of price-gouging by Coles and Woolworths
1 year, 3 months ago

Greens move to establish Senate inquiry into allegations of price-gouging by Coles and Woolworths

ABC  

The Greens say an inquiry can find a way to "dismantle" the power of Australia's two major supermarkets and bring down soaring grocery prices. Key points: The Greens want the Australian parliament to interrogate the costs and revenues of the major supermarkets While food inflation has eased this year from its 9.2 per cent peak in December 2022, it is …

More Australians shopping for groceries online to ensure they're getting value for money as cost-of-living pressures remain
1 year, 5 months ago

More Australians shopping for groceries online to ensure they're getting value for money as cost-of-living pressures remain

ABC  

Sarah Woodland was one of thousands of people who turned to online grocery shopping during the pandemic, but she is part of a growing trend of people who are staying away from physical stores during their weekly shop. Key points: Consumers are shopping at multiple stores to get the best deal on their grocery shop Online stores like Amazon, Catch …

Coles and Woolworths items Aussies have stopped buying
1 year, 9 months ago

Coles and Woolworths items Aussies have stopped buying

Daily Mail  

Australians have revealed the everyday food items and household products they are no longer buying as prices soar. With inflation still worryingly high at 6.8 per cent, consumers are thinking twice before spending money on entertainment, insurance, self-care, coffee and even some grocery staples to make ends meet. RBA Governor Philip Lowe said the rate rises must continue to drive …

Woolworths reduces the price of 400 items in its stores Australia-wide
2 years, 7 months ago

Woolworths reduces the price of 400 items in its stores Australia-wide

Daily Mail  

As the cost of living crisis worsens in Australia one supermarket has taken to reducing the price of some of its key food products to help customers feeling the pinch. Woolworths is heavily discounting up to 400 of its most popular items including mince, coffee, cheese, tea, butter, cleaning products and selected snacks to give buyers' some relief to the …

Aussie fruit shop boss exposes why prices are soaring at Coles and Woolworths
2 years, 8 months ago

Aussie fruit shop boss exposes why prices are soaring at Coles and Woolworths

Daily Mail  

Aussie farmers claim families can save hundreds of dollars on fresh fruit and vegetables by buying them away from major supermarkets. Farmer Guy Gaeta has suggested a boycott of major supermarkets because he says they rip off consumers and farmers Independent grower Guy Gaeta claims families could save '50 or 60 per cent' on their fresh produce costs by shopping …

Australian farmers lash Coles, Woolworths saying they make huge profits on fruit and vegetables
2 years, 8 months ago

Australian farmers lash Coles, Woolworths saying they make huge profits on fruit and vegetables

Daily Mail  

Aussie farmers claim families can save hundreds of dollars on fresh fruit and vegetables by buying them away from major supermarkets. Farmer Guy Gaeta has suggested a boycott of major supermarkets because he says they rip off consumers and farmers Independent grower Guy Gaeta claims families could save '50 or 60 per cent' on their fresh produce costs by shopping …

Aldi, Coles and Woolworths are put to the test to find the cheapest grocery basket for Christmas
5 years, 3 months ago

Aldi, Coles and Woolworths are put to the test to find the cheapest grocery basket for Christmas

Daily Mail  

Australian consumer organisation CHOICE has put three leading supermarket giants to the test to find the cheapest grocery basket for Christmas. Retailer Aldi cheapest grocery basket for Christmas, followed by Woolworths and then Coles Aldi has won yet another supermarket battle after coming out on top with a total price of $174.50 - $46.80 cheaper than the most expensive basket …

CHOICE reveals the best and worst Australian supermarkets
5 years, 10 months ago

CHOICE reveals the best and worst Australian supermarkets

Daily Mail  

Every year, Australian supermarkets go head-to-head to deliver the best deals, fresh produce at affordable prices and friendly employees to win over shoppers. South Australia's based independent chain Foodland has upstaged major stores such as Coles and Woolworths, which have almost two-thirds of the Australian market cornered Australia's best supermarkets voted by shoppers Foodland - 82% Harris Farm Markets - …

How Aldi went from cheap to savvy thanks to an error by Coles and Woolworths
6 years, 6 months ago

How Aldi went from cheap to savvy thanks to an error by Coles and Woolworths

Daily Mail  

A discounting war by Coles and Woolworths has helped fuel Aldi's growth, a retail expert has claimed. A discounting war by Coles and Woolworths has helped fuel Aldi's growth, a retail expert has claimed He said by centering their marketing campaigns on discounts in recent years, Coles and Woolworths had counter-intuitively helped Aldi. Coles and Woolworths focusing their marketing campaigns …

'Down Down' and 'Cheap Cheap' are gone gone: Coles, Woolworths moving away from 'supermarket price wars'
7 years ago

'Down Down' and 'Cheap Cheap' are gone gone: Coles, Woolworths moving away from 'supermarket price wars'

ABC  

On January 26, 2011, Coles fired the first shot in what would soon be dubbed the "supermarket price wars" by reducing the price of its own-brand milk to A$1 per litre. Woolworths' new campaign features athletes and their connection with fresh food, positioning the company, once again, as "Australia's Fresh Food People". Their By moving away from price and focusing …

Aldi threat growing for Coles, Woolworths: Moody's
10 years ago

Aldi threat growing for Coles, Woolworths: Moody's

ABC  

The rise of German-based cut-price supermarket chain Aldi is posing a long-term challenge to the traditional retail giants of Woolworth and Coles, according to credit ratings agency Moody's. Moody's vice president and senior analyst Ian Chitterer said the "increasing acceptance of Australian consumers" and Aldi's "aggressive expansion plans" were a long-term threat to the duopoly of Woolworths and Coles. "It …

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