Three supermarkets put to the test for Christmas groceries

With Australian families often forking out thousands of dollars during the holiday season, many seek out handy tips and tricks for stretching the budget a little further. 

And one of the best ways to do so is by cutting down the costs at the supermarket.

So, to help Christmas shoppers boost their savings this festive season, Australian consumer watchdog, CHOICE, put popular supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Aldi to the test.

To help Christmas shoppers boost their savings this festive season, Australian consumer watchdog, CHOICE , put popular supermarkets Coles, Woolworths and Aldi to the test

To carry out the test, CHOICE carried out a spot price check on items including turkey, ham, mince pies, candy canes and Christmas cards based on the Aldi catalogue

To carry out the test, CHOICE carried out a spot price check on items including turkey, ham, mince pies, candy canes and Christmas cards based on the Aldi catalogue

It was Aldi that came out on top, with a basket of 22 Christmas grocery items – including popular foods and decorations – costing $177.50.

The total at Coles was $200.25 while the total at Woolworths was the priciest at $217.05.

To carry out the test, CHOICE carried out a spot price check on items including turkey, ham, mince pies, candy canes and Christmas cards based on the Aldi catalogue. 

The total at Coles was $200.25 while the total at Woolworths was the priciest at $217.05

The total at Coles was $200.25 while the total at Woolworths was the priciest at $217.05

It was Aldi that came out on top, with a basket of 22 Christmas grocery items - including popular foods and decorations - costing $177.50

It was Aldi that came out on top, with a basket of 22 Christmas grocery items – including popular foods and decorations – costing $177.50

They then compared these items with the ‘cheapest option of the equivalent pack size or quantity available through Coles and Woolworths online shopping sites’ on November 16. 

Other items included smoked salmon, frozen raspberries, thickened cream, gingerbread house kits, chocolate coins, tinsel, glass baubles and outdoor LED fairy lights. 

However, although the total price of the items did differ quite significantly on the day, once specials were taken into account, the differences were less.

Items in the shop included prawns and mince pies

Items in the shop included prawns and mince pies

Items in the shop included prawns and mince pies 

Items included in the shop  

Half leg ham (closest to 5kg)

Turkey breast roast, frozen (1kg)

Smoked salmon (200g)

Australian tiger prawns, cooked, frozen (1kg)

Christmas plum pudding (700g)

Fruit mince pies (6 pack)

Brandy snaps (8 pack)

Raspberries, frozen (500g)

Thickened cream (600mL)

Brie (125g or closest)

Mixed nuts, salted (375g or closest)

Gingerbread house kit

Chocolate coins (150g) 

Gingerbread house kit

Chocolate coins (150g) 

Candy canes box (269g or closest)

Favourites chocolates (320g)

Chocolate balls (150g)

Christmas cards (20 pack)

Christmas gift wrap (single roll, 5m)

Tinsel (3m or closest)

Handcrafted/painted glass baubles (6 pack or closest)

Outdoor LED fairy/icicle lights (250 pack or closest)

Christmas crackers/bon bons (12 pack or closest)

Once specials were included, CHOICE recorded a saving of $15 at Coles and $10 at Woolworths.

Therefore once specials were included, the Coles shop total was $184.55 and the Woolworths shop total was $207.05. 

‘If you’re a loyal customer of Coles or Woolworths, or if Aldi isn’t an option for you, it’s good to know that there are significant savings to be had if you seek out price promotions,’ they explained. 



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