When it comes to grocery shopping, Australians are always on the lookout for the best deals and discounts, especially in today’s economy, where every dollar counts. The battle of the supermarkets is a tale as old as time, with giants like Woolworths and Coles being challenged by the German discount retailer ALDI. Known for its no-frills approach to shopping, ALDI has been gaining traction among Australian consumers as a go-to for savings. But is ALDI always the cheaper option? Melbourne man Alexei Joshua’s recent comparison shop between Woolworths and ALDI has yielded some surprising results.
Alexei, a 26-year-old personal trainer, embarked on a mission to determine which supermarket would give him more bang for his buck. His grocery list was a simple one, consisting of everyday staples such as avocados, tomatoes, onions, capsicum, spaghetti, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, beef mince, chicken breast, and mixed berries. The expectation was clear: ALDI, with its reputation for low prices, would come out on top. However, the reality was quite different.
On his first shopping trip, Alexei’s Woolworths bill totalled $60.87, while ALDI’s bill was unexpectedly higher at $65.04. The twist in the tale came down to stock availability. ALDI’s shelves were missing several items, forcing Alexei to purchase alternative products that were pricier than he had anticipated. This included substitutes for mixed berries, canned tomatoes, and 4-star beef mince. ‘I was fully expecting ALDI to be cheaper… but stock was a big issue,’ Alexei explained. ‘I had to buy something because obviously I had to eat and it ended up being more expensive.’
Determined to give ALDI a fair chance, Alexei repeated his experiment, this time starting at ALDI to avoid the stock issue. He carefully selected ‘identical’ items, including both branded and home-brand products. The second round of shopping painted a different picture: ALDI’s total came to $35.65, while Woolworths rang up at $38.80, or $36.60 with sales considered. This suggests that while ALDI can offer savings, the margin may not be as significant as some shoppers believe.
CHOICE, the consumer advocacy group, has consistently found ALDI to be the cheaper option for a basket of staples in its government-funded supermarket price report. For a selection of 14 items, ALDI’s price was $50.64, compared to Coles at $66.18 and Woolworths at $69.17, with IGA trailing at $73.80. ALDI’s smaller range of about 1,800 items, compared to the 20,000 to 25,000 products at Coles and Woolworths, is cited as one reason for its ability to keep prices low.
Despite the potential for savings, Alexei concluded that he would continue to shop at Woolworths and Coles over ALDI. His decision was based on convenience and the importance of nutrition in his profession as a personal trainer. ‘A lot of people were commenting go to ALDI and then go to Woolies after but if you’re busy that’s the last thing you want to be doing,’ he said. Additionally, ALDI’s lack of online shopping and Click and Collect services, which Alexei finds helps him save money by avoiding impulse purchases, was a significant factor in his preference.
For those who have the time and inclination to hunt for bargains, Alexei recommends checking online for sales at Woolworths and then visiting ALDI, followed by a trip to Woolworths for sale items or products not available at ALDI. With Finder research indicating that 32 per cent of Australians shop at multiple stores to find the best deals and the average household grocery spend rising to $209 per week, strategies like Alexei’s could be the key to managing a tight grocery budget.
In the end, the Woolworths vs ALDI price war doesn’t have a clear-cut winner. It comes down to individual shopping habits, the value of convenience, and the willingness to shop around. What’s certain is that with a little research and planning, Australians can make their grocery dollars stretch further, regardless of where they choose to shop.
What matters most to you when deciding where to buy your groceries? Do you prioritise price, convenience, or product selection? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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