Verdict in a nutshell: The checkout total might not be skyrocketing, but you’re still getting less bang for your buck. No matter, we have 10 Practical & Actionable Saving Strategies for Sydneysiders!
The Sticker Shock That Won’t Quit
Even as overall inflation cools, grocery prices remain stubbornly high. In NSW, households are spending about $882 more annually on groceries than they did a year ago, marking an increase of nearly 9%. 12
Nationally, the average Aussie is now shelling out $213.64 weekly on groceries—a jump of 11.5% from last year, translating to over $1,140 extra annually.3
Shrinkflation: The Sneaky Culprit
Beyond rising prices, “shrinkflation” is hitting wallets hard. This tactic involves reducing product sizes while keeping prices the same or even increasing them. For instance, a pack of Cadbury Easter eggs dropped from 408g to 374g but saw a price hike from $12.50 to $15, effectively increasing the cost per 100g by 31%. 4
The ACCC has flagged shrinkflation as a significant concern, recommending that supermarkets clearly disclose size reductions to consumers.
Supermarket Giants Under Scrutiny
The ACCC’s recent inquiry revealed that grocery prices have surged 24% over the past five years, outpacing wage growth and disproportionately affecting lower-income earners. Despite this, major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles have seen profit margins grow, raising questions about pricing practices.
10 Practical Strategies to Cut Your Grocery Costs
1. Utilize Price Comparison Apps
Before heading to the store, use apps like WhichGrocer, Frugl, Save On Groceries (SOG), and WiseList to compare prices across major supermarkets. These tools allow you to build shopping lists, view live prices, and identify specials, helping you save between 8% and 20% on your typical grocery basket.
2. Choose the Right Retailer for Staples
Leverage Choice’s findings by purchasing pantry basics from Aldi, which offers the lowest prices, and supplementing with items from Coles or Woolworths when they have half-price specials. This approach can possibly save a household of four over $700 annually.
3. Follow the Specials Cycle
Coles and Woolworths reset their half-price specials every Wednesday, while Aldi introduces Super Savers on Wednesdays and Saturdays. By aligning your shopping with these cycles and setting reminders, you can save up to 50% on items like toothpaste, rice, and canned goods.
4. Shop Late for Markdowns and Know the Scanning Code
Visit stores after 7 pm (Coles) or 8 pm (Woolworths) to find markdowns on fresh meat, produce, and bakery items. Additionally, if an item’s scanned price exceeds the shelf label, the national scanning code policy entitles you to receive the first item for free at Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi.
5. Maximize Loyalty Programs
Activate Everyday Rewards Boosters and consider the $7/month Everyday Extra subscription, which offers a 10% discount once a month. Similarly, stack Flybuys offers and explore Coles Plus benefits. Converting every 2,000 points to $10 off groceries can lead to savings of up to $500 annually if you time boosters effectively.
6. Buy Seasonal or “Imperfect” Produce
Opt for Harris Farm’s Imperfect Picks or weekly market boxes, which offer up to 50% off cosmetically flawed fruits and vegetables. For instance, lemons are currently priced at $2.49/kg compared to $4.90/kg at major supermarkets. Additionally, visit Sydney Produce Market in Flemington after 12 pm on Saturdays for clearance crates.
7. Access Community Pantries and Rescued Food
Explore options like Addi Road Food Pantry in Marrickville and Camperdown, which offers rescued staples for around $5 per basket, often including free bread and produce. Foodbank NSW/ACT provides $35 family hampers available for online order and pickup at Glendenning, while OzHarvest Market in Waterloo operates on a pay-what-you-can basis. SecondBite also hosts pop-up stalls in outer-west local government areas.
8. Bulk-Buy and Share
Consider shopping at Costco locations in Auburn, Casula, or the upcoming Marsden Park warehouse (opening late 2025) for bulk purchases of rice, flour, cheese, and meat. By portioning and storing items or sharing with flatmates, you can achieve unit prices less than 80% of supermarket levels, resulting in 15% to 25% savings on bulk items.
9. Plan Meals Around Specials and Minimize Waste
Implement a “specials-first” meal plan by checking catalogues on Sunday nights and designing meals based on discounted items. Cooking in batches and repurposing leftovers can reduce mid-week shopping trips. The NSW Cost-of-Living hub offers free meal-planning templates and food-waste tips, potentially saving around $1,000 annually.
10. Monitor Unit Pricing and Shrinkflation
Stay vigilant about unit pricing, especially as the ACCC pushes for clearer displays. Always compare the price per 100g or 100ml on shelf tags, as smaller “bonus-pack” sizes can sometimes be more expensive per unit. This practice can lead to savings of 3% to 10% per shopping trip.
Final Thoughts
While the pace of grocery price increases may have slowed, the combination of high costs and shrinkflation means many Sydney households continue to feel the pinch. Staying vigilant, informed, and adaptable is key to navigating this challenging landscape.
Next up in our series: We’ll delve into the world of energy bills—unpacking why they’re still high and what you can do to keep costs down.
References
- https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jan/30/high-food-prices-becoming-ingrained-in-australian-economy-analyst-warns ↩︎
- https://au.news.yahoo.com/cost-aussies-2025-grocery-shop-052054374.html ↩︎
- https://www.comparethemarket.com.au/news/how-much-australians-spend-on-groceries-2025/ ↩︎
- https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/dec/05/popular-christmas-desserts-cost-more-for-less-at-woolworths-and-aldi-choice-finds ↩︎