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Choice sent mystery shoppers to 81 regional and urban supermarkets across Australia, including the big three chains Woolworths, Coles and Aldi.
Shoppers loaded their baskets with 14 common grocery items and went through the checkout, comparing prices afterward.
The study revealed that an Aldi basket is around 25 per cent cheaper than a Coles or Woolworths basket.
“Aldi was the clear leader for value for money in our first 2024 supermarket basket survey, with our basket of 14 products costing just $51.51,” said Choice chief executive Ashley de Silva.
“Grocery prices at Coles and Woolworths are very close, with just 75 cents separating the prices of our 14-item basket without special offers.
“Coles was the most expensive at $69.33, while a basket at Woolworths was $68.58.”
Choice also found that location matters.
“When we looked at the average cost of our supermarket baskets in each state, we found that if you live in Tasmania or the Northern Territory, you’re paying significantly more each week for your groceries,” de Silva said.
“However, this is mainly because these areas have more limited shopping options than the rest of the country, with no Aldi in Tassie or the NT.
“Outside of the Northern Territory and Tasmania, West Australians pay the most on average for their groceries – about a dollar more for that basket of items than people in other parts of the country pay.”
Meanwhile, as the cost of living crisis continues, Choice found that confidence in supermarkets has also fallen over the past 12 months.
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Some 39 percent of respondents said they did not trust supermarkets to provide the best products and services for customers’ needs.
Choice has been awarded federal government funding to survey supermarket prices every quarter for the next three years.
“This kind of transparency is more important than ever as the cost of living crisis continues and the prices of basic food items rise,” de Silva said.
The grocery basket in all outlets was filled with 14 items, 12 of which were packaged produce, national brand or comparable supermarket/budget brand (including ground beef and milk), with two fresh fruit and vegetables (apples and carrots) fill in the list:
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