We’re all scrambling to save a dollar here and there, and two major supermarkets have responded by ‘locking in’ prices on hundreds of products until next year.
Coles and Woolworths have both launched programs of price freezes, with Woolies locking in prices on 200 items, and Coles countering with 150 items.
And while that seems a boon to cash-strapped customers, I am reliably informed by one supermarket employee responsible for attaching new price tickets that many other items have experienced a considerable price hike in the past two weeks. So are they giving with one hand while taking away with the other?
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Neither chain would commit to saying how long the price freezes would last, with a Coles spokesperson telling it would continue to work with suppliers on the issue. A Woolworths representative was equally vague with a statement about its generic range.
“Customers can also stretch their budget without sacrificing top quality by opting for our Woolworths brand products, which are available across a range of categories at competitive prices,” the spokesperson said.
Ummm … okay.
Just remember how much they are looking out for the little guy as they post their astonishing profits, which were $1.048 billion for Coles and $1.5 billion for Woolworths for the 2021-22 financial year.
Well, while the discounting continues, stock up your pantry.
Unwelcome decoration
A shopper has been outraged at finding bird poo in a supermarket and I’m here to tell you unless it is located deep within a shopping centre, pretty much all supermarkets have an ongoing bird problem.
Supermarkets’ large loading bays, spilt food and airy upper reaches are ideal territory for many birds, but particularly sparrows and pigeons. Pigeons are easily dislodged, but sparrows can sometimes take a professional pest remover, especially if they’ve started nesting.
Another reason you should always wash your fruit and veg before you eat them.
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This week’s deals
Woolworths
Sensible: White Crow tomato or barbecue sauce 2L, half price at $3.75. Let’s be out and proud about this, Australians eat a lot of tomato sauce, so a two-litre pack is mere child’s play. Great for all those sausage sizzles you’ll have in coming months.
Indulgence: A huge selection of prepared barbecue meats are on sale. Everything from marinated chicken breasts to ready-to-heat brisket, this range covers all tastes. Guests don’t need to know you haven’t been sweating away in the kitchen for their gratification – just hide the packaging properly and the job’s done.
Coles
Sensible: Sunrice medium grain and brown rice 5kg, half price at $9.50. You can say this is a lot of rice, because it is a lot of rice, but it stores well and at this price works out to be cents per serve. And in my one-person campaign to make brown rice more popular, it may be the prompt you need to try it, because it is delicious and nutty.
Indulgence: Shower Power, half price at $3.70. The trend for all-glass showers looks great but a bugger to clean. If you want a quick, easy way to clean your acres of shower glass, this is it. It’s never going to replace a good, hard scrubbing, but for in-between times, it serves a purpose.
See the catalogue here.
Aldi
Sensible: Indian food. Aldi’s special buys are concentrating on Indian food this week and it’s a great opportunity to stock up your pantry. There’s a great range of spice mixes and curry bases, but in typical Aldi fashion the offering also includes Women’s Weekly cookbooks, samosa makers and Indian serving bowls. A good entry level to cooking Indian food.
Indulgence: Scallop and Champagne Gratin, $9.99. Reluctant cooks take note. Champagne, scallops, gratin. It all sounds very indulgent. Want to impress guests, or even just yourself, with close to minimum effort? Then these gratins should be top of your list. Best get in quick because they are one of Aldi’s ‘cult’ items and almost always sell out.
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Recall: Sprinters Crinkle Cut multi pack. Recalled due to the potential presence of plastic pieces in the product. Return to the store for a full refund.
See the catalogue here.
IGA
Sensible: Glad barbecue aluminium trays, four pack, $4.50. These things are so sensible they should be in a museum of sensibleness. The multi-purpose trays are great for cooking and keeping food warm on barbecues, for bulk cooking of roasts when entertaining and for transporting cooked food. With summer approaching, a four-pack seems the bare minimum.
Indulgence: Life Savers icy poles, eight pack, $5, save $2.50. All the ice-cream brands have been busy putting out lolly ‘crossovers’ and I’m here for it. All the classic Life Saver flavours in one hit? Who could ask for more for your next sugar rush?
See the catalogue here.
Are you looking forward to price freezes in the two major chains? Are they doing enough to help cash-strapped shoppers? Why not share your opinion in the comments section below?
