As the festive season approaches, Australians are gearing up for the annual Christmas lunch, a time-honoured tradition that brings together family and friends over a sumptuous feast. However, with the cost of living on the rise and budgets tightening, many are on the lookout for ways to save without compromising on the quality and joy of their holiday meals. The question on everyone’s mind is: Which supermarket will give you the best bang for your buck this Christmas?
The answer, according to recent findings, is ALDI. The German discount chain has been crowned the most budget-friendly option for your Christmas lunch shopping, offering significant savings over its competitors, Woolworths and Coles. A comprehensive analysis has shown that Australians could pocket as much as $28 by choosing ALDI for their festive groceries, which include traditional favourites like Christmas ham, prawns, and turkey.
A survey conducted by Yahoo Finance, which polled over 8,800 readers, revealed that 38 per cent of respondents favoured ALDI for their Christmas shopping, with Woolworths 21 per cent and Coles 19 per cent trailing behind. This marks a notable shift from the previous year, where Woolworths led the pack. The cost comparison, aimed at feeding a family of eight, presented the following breakdown:
- ALDI: $118.17
- WOOLWORTHS: $125.10
- COLES: $146.40
The basket of goods included not only meats but also festive treats like mince pies, fruit cake, plum pudding, and bonbons. While ALDI emerged as the cheapest overall, it’s worth noting that Woolworths offered the lowest price for Christmas ham at $12 per kilogram, followed closely by ALDI and Coles.
In the spirit of competition, Woolworths and Coles have announced they will be offering hams for as low as $8 per kilogram, signaling that the price wars are indeed heating up as Christmas draws near. This is a boon for consumers, who now have more options to consider when planning their holiday meals.
Here’s a detailed cost breakdown:
ALDI’s reputation for affordability has been further cemented by consumer advocacy group CHOICE, which named it the cheapest supermarket for the third time in a row. This accolade was based on a comparison of everyday items, including fresh produce, where ALDI’s total basket price was significantly lower than that of Coles, Woolworths, and IGA.
With the festive season often bringing added expenses, Finder’s head of consumer research, Graham Cooke, advises Australians to shop around for the best deals. The financial stress of grocery shopping is real, with 40 per cent of Aussies feeling the pinch, up from 22 per cent three years ago. Women, in particular, are more affected, with 43 per cent reporting grocery-related stress.
The average shopper is expected to spend $244 on food and $173 on dining out during the holiday period. However, with cost-of-living pressures, many are planning to cut back on festive items, with younger generations being the most likely to reduce their grocery spend.
So, why is ALDI able to offer such competitive prices? The answer lies in its business model. ALDI operates smaller stores with fewer staff and a more limited range of items—around 1,800 compared to the 20,000 to 25,000 products found at Coles and Woolworths. This streamlined approach allows ALDI to keep costs down and pass the savings onto consumers. Despite its smaller market share, ALDI continues to attract around five million shoppers to its 590 stores each month.
As you get ready for the festive season, how do you approach your Christmas shopping? Do you stick to your favourite supermarket, or do you like to compare prices to get the best deals? Share your tips for budgeting and saving this Christmas in the comments below!
Also read: Australia’s cheapest supermarket revealed: A look at ALDI, Coles, and Woolworths’ holiday offers
