As we navigate through the aisles of our local supermarkets, many of us can’t help but feel a twinge of nostalgia for the days when our dollars stretched further. It’s a sentiment that’s been brought sharply into focus by the discovery of a 15-year-old Woolworths receipt, which has revealed some eye-opening changes in the cost of groceries over the years.
Amy Coulston, a Sunshine Coast resident, stumbled upon this blast from the past at her mother’s house. The receipt, dated from 15 years ago, itemised a grocery list that included everyday essentials such as milk, bread, and cheese, as well as other items like salami, chicken pies, and cereal. Back then, the total for 30 items came to $127.26. Fast forward to today, and Coulston found that the same shopping list would cost her $170.45, marking a 35 per cent increase.
This discovery led Coulston to share her findings online, where it quickly became a topic of discussion. Many people expressed their surprise, with some expecting the price difference to be even more significant.
However, the increase is not just about the numbers on the receipt; it’s also about the size of the products we’re getting for our money. Coulston pointed out that many items have gotten smaller over time, a trend known as ‘shrinkflation’, where products reduce in size but maintain or increase in price. A notable example she mentioned was Turkish Delight chocolates, which have shrunk from 55 grams to 50 grams over the years.
However, the biggest shock for Coulston was cheese. She shared, ‘600 grams of Devondale cheese was $5.70 and today that same bag of cheese is $10.80.’
Other significant increases included lite milk, which went from $3.59 for 3 litres to $4.35, and sliced mushrooms, which jumped from $4.98 for 500 grams to $7.
When we consider inflation, the Reserve Bank of Australia’s calculator suggests that a basket of goods valued at $127.26 in early 2010 would be worth $185.94 today, accounting for a total change of 46.1 per cent over the period, with an average annual inflation rate of 2.6 per cent. Despite these figures, some Australians feel the price hikes are not as drastic as they could have been, especially when compared to average annual pay rises.
The impact of these price changes is felt in the weekly budget of Australian households. Research from Compare the Market indicates that people are now spending over $1,000 more a year on groceries than they were just a year ago. The average weekly grocery bill has climbed to $213.64, an increase of $21.98 from January 2024. With more than a quarter of Australians citing grocery costs as their most worrisome bill, it’s clear that these incremental increases are taking a toll.
Sarah Orr from Compare the Market points out that price hikes are widespread across supermarket aisles, with everyday items like coffee and chocolate experiencing surges due to supply issues. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from November shows an annual food inflation rate of 2.9 per cent, with fruit and vegetables leading the charge with a 6 per cent rise. However, there has been some relief with price drops for certain produce like tomatoes and strawberries, thanks to favourable growing conditions.
Coulston, who has shifted from full-time administration work to side hustles, has felt the pinch herself. Her grocery budget with her partner and their Border Collie, Finn, has increased from around $600 to $750 a month. To combat rising costs, she shares, ‘We do one big grocery shop at the start of the month then do a couple top-up shops for things like milk, eggs, fruit and veggies with a shorter shelf life.
‘Fresh fruit and vegetables is one thing I’ve noticed the most going up, so often we go for the frozen options that are usually a lot cheaper.’
For those looking to tighten their grocery budgets, Orr recommends planning ahead, checking for specials, trying home brands or lesser-known labels, and paying attention to unit prices. Utilising reward cards, partner shopping discounts from various service providers, and scanning receipts for gift cards on platforms like ReceiptJar can also help ease the financial burden.
Readers, how have you noticed the impact of rising grocery prices on your household budget? What strategies have you implemented to manage these increasing costs? Let us know in the comments below!
Also read: Grocery price predictions for 2025: Experts’ insights.
