Aldi crowned by Choice as Australia’s cheapest supermarket

Aldi remains the cheapest supermarket chain for your weekly shop, beating Coles, Woolies and IGA by a whopping $28.16, according to the second government-commissioned report into supermarket prices.

In more than 104 visits by mystery shoppers to supermarkets across the country, the same shopping basket was found to cost $50.79 at Aldi, $66.22 at Coles (or $69.91 without deals), $68.70 at Woolworths (or $68.37 without deals) and $78.95 at IGA.

Customers bought the same basket of 14 products in each store, which included butter, flour, white sugar, a block of tasty cheese, minced beef, apples, carrots and Weetbix. The range consisted of a mix of national brands, comparable supermarket brands and budget brands.

In the second version of the report, which was commissioned by the Albanian government, prices had fallen slightly at Aldi and Coles, but had risen at Woolworths.

The report found that prices at IGA stores, which are owned and independently operated by franchisees, “varied widely” and that customers found it harder to spot products on sale because of “inconsistent signage”.

“In terms of promotional prices, Woolworths has dropped from second to third place in this wave of research,” said Ashley de Silva, CEO of CHOICE.

Customers bought the same basket of 14 items in each store (stock image)

‘The Woolworths basket was $68.37, compared to $64.93 in March. However, Coles dropped in price with our 14-item basket costing $66.22, compared to $68.52 in March.

‘Aldi’s basket cost $50.79, compared to $51.51 in March. And when it comes to value for money, Aldi was once again the clear winner.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed the report but acknowledged there was “more work to be done.” He also said the report would provide “important information” to households.

Albanese has criticised supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths after the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) announced it would take legal action over allegations they misled consumers through their discount campaigns.

The consumer watchdog said both supermarkets had increased the prices of hundreds of items by 15 percent before putting up promotional stickers with prices higher than the original cost.

According to the report, prices fell slightly at Aldi and Coles, but rose at Woolworths.

On Tuesday, Albanese told Coles and Woolworths to “get their houses in order” and that the companies would face “significant fines” if found guilty.

On Monday, the government also released a draft version of the Mandatory Food and Grocery Directive, which aims to make the system fairer for producers, farmers and customers, while also subjecting supermarkets to millions of dollars in fines for serious violations.

The code is currently under consultation and the government aims to introduce legislation on it next year.