Woolworths and Coles Supermarkets are set to raise their supermarket prices in 2023 as price freeze policies come to an end.
Australia’s two largest supermarket chains, Woolworths and Coles implemented price freezes on many of their staple items mid-2022 in a bid to mitigate Australia’s inflation spike. But those price freezes are nearing their expiration date meaning you the consumer will be paying more for groceries, including basic pantry staples such as rolled oats, flour, sugar, and eggs.
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Coping with potentially skyrocketing supermarket prices in the coming years can be a daunting task.
And most Australian families are already doing it tough with the average weekly shopping bill coming in at a whopping $266.50.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics showed that the price of fruit and vegetables rose 16.2% in the 12 months coming up to September 2022, with bread and cereal prices rising 10%.
Woolworths price freezes have expired but they have yet to increase the cost of the 300 items they promised to remain affordable.
Coles only has 150 products discounted and has stated these will remain in place until January 31st.
More Reading: FREE Weekly Frugal Meal Plan
What You The Consumer Can Do About Rising Costs
Stay at Home Mum Founder, Jody Allen, states that:
“The only way to mitigate rising grocery costs is to shop around, loyalty to the larger Supermarkets is dead. Shop the sales, use your local butcher and grocer, eat simpler and use your freezer to make meals in bulk and freeze them for later”
“Don’t just shop at Woolworths or Coles, try the smaller supermarket chains like Aldi or IGA and compare the cost”
“Especially larger, more expensive items such as washing powder – if you can get up to 50% off by shopping a sale at a particular store, make a special trip and buy up big”
“And most importantly, do some meal planning. Just 10 minutes of preparation every week can save you hundreds of dollars!”
More Reading: 7 Simple Ways to Make Your Groceries Last All Week
Buy in Bulk When You Can Afford To
Another great way to try and beat the rising cost of living is to buy in bulk – but only when you can afford to do so. When a Supermarket is having a sale on an item you use all the time – buy up big and store them (where the kids can’t find them!).
The items I recommend you buy in bulk include:
- Meats (especially mince and chicken pieces)
- Nappies
- Tinned foods
- Cheese (I grate mine and freeze it for later)
- Toiletries (toothpaste, soap etc)
More Reading: Where to Buy Cheap Nappies Online in Australia
Compare prices before making a purchase
Another way to beat rising costs is to compare supermarket prices before purchasing. This can be done by shopping around at different stores or online or using a price comparison website. By comparing prices, you can ensure that you are getting the best deal possible on the things you need.
Shopping is already time-consuming, and finding the right item at the right price can be overwhelming. The good news is that by comparing supermarket prices before making a purchase, you can save yourself money and effort in the long run.
- ALDI
- IGA
- Farmer’s Market
- Farm-to-table market
- Sourced-directly from farmers
For online orders, taking into consideration shipping costs and delivery times is also important. By researching as much as possible beforehand, you’ll be able to confidently make an informed decision with your hard-earned cash.
Use coupons and discounts
Grocery shopping can be expensive, especially with the rise in supermarket prices. So why not hand over the savings to yourself? You can save money on the items you need and want by using coupons and discounts from your favorite grocery stores. Coupons can give you a certain dollar amount off your purchase or a percentage off free products, and even buy-one-get-one deals.
Discounts are even easier to use as all you have to do is present your discount card at checkout, and voila! You will instantly get the predetermined savings. Whether through paper or digital coupons or loyal customer discounts, there are always ways to save money when shopping for groceries.
Make a list of needs and wants
The next step is to make a list of needs and wants. This will help you to prioritize your spending and ensure that you are only spending money on things that are truly important to you. Try to be realistic when making this list, as it can be easy to convince yourself that you need something when you don’t.
Making a shopping list of needs and wants is an excellent way to save time, energy, and money in the grocery store. To ensure your list is organized and efficient, it’s essential to start by writing down your needs – the essential items for your health and well-being.
After that, it’s all up to personal preference. Wants could include items like specialty snacks or ingredients for a meal you have wanted to try but weren’t sure about.
Have you been following the news about supermarket prices skyrocketing in 2023? How have you reacted to the news?
With news of supermarket prices rocketing sky-high in 2023, it’s no wonder that many of us are feeling grumpy and dreading our next shopping trip. Although the increase in prices can seem daunting, a little bit of research into alternatives or budget-friendly options can go a long way in making sure your wallet doesn’t feel too pinched.
Many bargain hunters have discovered techniques like price-matching, flexible meal planning, and buying in bulk to help ease the sting of high prices. Will this improve in the following months?