In October 2021, The Wholesome Mummy carried out a procuring experiment to see how shopping for the identical 10 objects from the 6 main grocery store chains in contrast in worth and availability.
Since then, there was different occasions which have impacted each worth and availability so we ran the identical experiment once more 6 months later in March 2022 to see the way it in contrast.
Now we have now bought the identical merchandise a complete 18 months later in November 2023 to see how costs have modified but once more.
Try the outcomes under!
Why Grocery store Shortages?
Australia has skilled loads of grocery store shortages because the Covid pandemic started. The rising disaster now could be a bit totally different. Now the shortages are as a consequence of supply-side issues and occurring (nearly) nationally.
The main drawback now could be in transport and distribution with many going broke as a consequence of covid and a current cyber assault at one warehouse.
Sadly the world might be dealing with a meals disaster with costs hovering and crops in danger as a result of conflict in Gaza and Ukraine, the UN Meals and Agriculture Organisation has stated.
Meals costs have been already excessive as a consequence of unpredictable climate, partially due to local weather change, and the Covid pandemic. Now with the invasion of Gaza and Ukraine, the world’s meals techniques might be tipped into catastrophe.
Let’s not even get began on the hovering gasoline costs. The necessity to save the place we are able to is even better.
The Wholesome Mummy Buying Experiment
What did we purchase?
We opted for these staple pantry and fridge objects most households purchase each week.
Buying Checklist
- Beef Mince 500g – 5 star or premium
- White sliced bread
- Tasty cheese 500g block
- 5 bananas
- 1 iceberg lettuce
- 1 packet of spaghetti
- 1 tin Australian diced tomatoes
- 1 massive brown onion
- 1 Garlic head
- 1 litre full fats milk
In order that we have been evaluating apples for apples we went for lean or premium mince, we opted for personal manufacturers the place obtainable and famous that cheaper manufacturers have been restricted when shopping for simply 1 litre of milk. Provide points have meant forcing a purchase order of costlier manufacturers in some circumstances. It must also be famous that IGA don’t inventory personal model bread and this impacts worth fairly significantly.
The place did we store?
We shopped at a mixture of independently owned and well-liked grocery store chains in Australia.
- Aldi
- Woolworths
- Coles
- Harris Farm
- IGA
- Foodworks
November 2023 outcomes
| Aldi | Woolies | Coles | Harris Farm | IGA | Foodworks | |
| Beef mince 500gm | $8.99 | $10.00 | $10.00 | $10.99 | $8.99 (on sale) | $11.50 |
| White sliced bread | $2.29 | $2.40 | $2.40 | $3.19 | $4.99 | $2.90 |
| Tasty Cheese Block 500gm | $6.99 | $7.70 | $7.70 | $10.00 | $10.50 | $10.00 |
| 1kg bananas | $3.99 | $5.04 | $5.67 | $6.44 |
$5.99 | $4.99 |
| Iceberg Lettuce | $1.49 | $2.90 | $2.00 | $2.50 | $3.99 | $2.99 |
| Packet Spaghetti | $0.89 | $0.90 | $0.90 | $2.50 | $1.85 | $1.46 |
| Diced tin Australian tomatoes | $0.95 | $0.97 | $0.95 | $1.59 | $1.90 | $1.80 |
| Massive brown onion | $0.60 | $0.59 | $0.67 | $1.00 | $0.41 | $0.36 |
| Garlic head | $0.82 | $1.65 | $1.20 | $2.80 | $1.03 | $0.93 |
| I ltr full cream milk | $1.59 | $1.60 | $1.70 | $3.30 | $3.05 | $2.59 |
| TOTAL | $28.60 | $33.75 | $33.19 | $44.31 | $42.70 | $39.52 |
What have been the ends in March 2022?
| Aldi | Woolies | Coles | Harris Farm | IGA | Foodworks | |
| Premium Beef mince 500gm | $9.49 | $10.50 | $10.50 | $9.99 | $11.77 | $11.65 |
| White sliced bread | $1.39 | $1.40 | $1.40 | $3.99 | $4.00 | $2.00 |
| Tasty Cheese Block 500gm | $4.79 | $8.50 (dwelling model NA) | $6.00 | $7.99 | $7.80 (solely had 750gm) | $9.82 |
| 1kg bananas | $2.99 | $3.50 | $3.00 | $2.99 | $4.49 | $3.99 |
| Iceberg Lettuce | $3.99 | $3.90 | $4.50 | $4.49 | $3.99 | $5.49 |
| Packet Spaghetti | $0.79 | $1.25 | $0.80 | $1.49 | $1.40 | $1.95 |
| Diced tin Australian tomatoes | $0.99 | $1.40 | $1.40 | $1.49 | $1.55 | $1.49 |
| 1 lg brown onion | $0.66 | $0.71 | $0.93 | $0.69 | $0.88 | $0.51 |
| Garlic head | $1.57 | $1.55 | $1.15 | $2.68 | $1.40 | $2.70 |
| I ltr full cream milk | $1.35 | $2.10 | $1.35 | $2.39 | $2.60 | $2.39 |
| TOTAL | $28.01 | $34.81 | $31.03 | $38.19 | $39.88 | $41.99 |
And the outcomes final time October 2021……
| Aldi | Woolies | Coles | Harris Farm | IGA | Foodworks | |
| Beef mince 500gm | $7.99 | $7.50 | $7.50 | $8.99 | $10.45 | $9.72 |
| White sliced bread | $1.29 | $1.60 | $1.40 | $2.69 | $3.60 | $4.15 |
| Tasty Cheese Block 500gm | $4.79 | $5.30 | $5.30 | $7.50 | $8.00 | $8.49 |
| 1kg bananas | $1.20 | $2.59 | $3.53 | $1.55 | $3.24 | $3.55 |
| Iceberg Lettuce | $1.99 | $2.00 | $1.90 | $2.99 | $2.50 | $1.99 |
| Packet Spaghetti | $0.79 | $1.00 | $0.80 | $1.49 | $2.60 | $3.49 |
| Diced tin Australian tomatoes | $0.99 | $1.00 | $1.00 | $1.49 | $1.65 | $1.49 |
| Massive brown onion | $0.49 | $0.55 | $0.80 | $0.62 | $0.63 | $0.73 |
| Garlic head | $1.22 | $1.55 | $1.03 | $2.05 | $1.49 | $1.50 |
| I ltr full cream milk | $1.29 | $1.29 | $1.29 | $2.39 | $2.40 | $2.59 |
| TOTAL | $21.96 | $24.38 | $24.55 | $31.76 | $36.56 | $37.70 |
So you possibly can see a rise throughout the board with the most important hike in bread, bananas and attractive cheese, being the large ticket objects within the store.
Most stunning is the truth that the bigger business chains have been least affected, while independently owned Harris Farm, Foodworks and IGA see essentially the most worth will increase! Good previous Aldi as soon as once more is available in with the perfect costs out of all the foremost supermarkets!
Additionally worthy of a point out is inventory availability and the time you store. For instance, procuring at Foodworks within the night may even see recent inventory like bread restricted. If you happen to store within the night you possibly can solely get our palms on the native bakery white sliced, with personal model Finest Buys shelf empty. Whereas good to help native and arguably a greater high quality loaf it’s an eye fixed watering $4.15, in comparison with Aldi’s loaf at simply $2.29 and that works out at practically 300% larger price.
So generally it’s understanding what objects stand out as growing your total spend in a specific store and avoiding these items till your subsequent ALDI go to!
Harris Farm and impartial shops boast much less packaging, which can be a consideration for some however you’re looking at paying a minimum of 30% extra to your store, vs a extra modest distinction of 10% to buy at Coles or Woolies. Harris Farm arguably boasts the perfect recent seasonal meals affords. However ALDI won’t ever be overwhelmed for the perfect finances store!
Extra Funds Ideas!
BUDGET MAKING INGREDIENTS: How this mum makes her mince meals go additional!
How these mums are cooking wholesome household meals on a BUDGET
Are you able to develop into a Wholesome Mummy?
