Woolworths groceries now pricier than last year

A report by consumer group Choice has found that grocery prices at Woolworths have increased over the past year. In contrast, prices at Coles and Aldi have fallen. This information comes from a quarterly report funded by the government, which tracks grocery prices across Australian supermarkets. Choice's research looked at 14 common grocery items. It revealed that prices at Woolworths rose by 3.7% between March and December of last year. The average cost for these items went from $64.93 to $67.34. In contrast, Coles saw a price drop of 2.5% during the same time, and Aldi's prices remained largely stable. Ashley de Silva, CEO of Choice, highlighted that this is the first time a significant price gap has appeared between Coles and Woolworths. Previously, their prices were very close, but now the difference has grown to $1.79 without special offers. To gather data, Choice used "mystery shoppers" who visited 104 supermarkets in 27 locations across Australia. They found that IGA stores also had cheaper prices compared to June. This report comes shortly after the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) reviewed the supermarket sector. The ACCC found that Australian supermarkets are among the most profitable in the world but could not confirm allegations of price gouging. They did recommend more price transparency to help consumers make informed decisions. Choice supports the ACCC's recommendations, stating that better information about discounts and unit prices is necessary. The federal government is considering these recommendations but has not yet committed to implementing them. Woolworths, Coles, and Metcash are also reviewing the ACCC's suggestions.