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Supermarket wars

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Shoppers share their perspective on supermarkets’ discounting practices.

‘Pretty rude’: What shoppers thought as Woolies defended discounts in court

The supermarket chain argues that its suppliers were demanding it raise prices as inflation spiked, and it then offered shoppers genuine specials.

  • Elias Visontay and Jessica Yun

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Former Woolworths executive Paul Harker.

Former Woolies exec denies internal rules changed because it was lying to shoppers

In the second day of Woolworths’ court stand-off with the consumer watchdog, some of the rules governing the “Prices Dropped” program have emerged.

  • Jessica Yun
Australian shoppers don’t see much of ‘Prices Dropped’ in store any more after Woolworths retired the campaign last year.

Woolies said it ‘Price Dropped’ 276 products – but 96% of them cost more

Documents released by the Federal Court show the supermarket giant negotiated to raise prices and then “discount” them at the same time.

  • Jessica Yun
ACCC v Woolworths: The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s landmark “illusory discounts” case against Australia’s biggest supermarkets commences on Tuesday.

Tim Tams and Oreos: The 12 grocery items Woolworths and ACCC will fight over in court

Supermarket executives will be in the witness stand this week as they prepare to challenge the consumer watchdog’s accusations of fake discounts.

  • Jessica Yun
An artist’s impression of Coles and Woolworths stores of different kinds opening around Sydney.

Gentrified groceries: The new food line splitting your city

One in four Woolworths in Sydney are now Metro stores, while Coles is playing catch-up by growing its Local chain. Is the gentrification of supermarkets leaving shoppers worse off?

  • Jessica Yun and Elias Visontay
Coles chief executive Leah Weckert.

Prices down down, sales up up: Coles boss defends discounts as ACCC case concludes

The supermarket giant expects shoppers to keep finding discounts and specials as it winds up a fortnight-long legal battle with the competition watchdog.

  • Jessica Yun
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Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell is starting to turn around the supermarket giant’s recent underperformance.

‘The right types of promotions’: Woolies lures customers back with lower prices

Lower prices for longer and weekly specials have helped Woolworths turn around consistent underperformance as it prepares to duel with the ACCC over alleged illusory discounts.

  • Jessica Yun
Amazon will deliver meat, dairy, eggs, and other fresh produce for the first time after a partnership with premium grocery chain Harris Farm Markets.

‘The missing piece’: Amazon will deliver fresh food for the first time

The US juggernaut’s partnership with premium grocery chain Harris Farm addresses a major gap – and intensifies competition for Coles and Woolworths.

  • Jessica Yun
The first Costco in Australia opened in Docklands, Melbourne, and became one of the top-performing stores globally.

‘Played the long game’: Bulk-buying habits make Costco more profitable than Aldi

Australians are driving across town to stock up on toilet paper, $6.99 rotisserie chickens and beef mince.

  • Jessica Yun
Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell said in the year ahead the company would “focus on rebuilding momentum and restoring customer trust”.

The questions Woolworths’ boss needs to answer

The supermarket giant’s latest quarterly update has delivered more disappointment and its chief executive Amanda Bardwell faces an uphill battle to revive the brand.

  • Elizabeth Knight