In today’s competitive grocery market, Australians are faced with various choices—some more affordable than others. While some stick with their traditional supermarket habits, others have been exploring different options that offer value for money.
Amid this search for savings, one shopper’s discovery is causing many to rethink their grocery strategies.
Bronte Lang, a 26-year-old marketer and content creator and a former self-confessed ‘Woolies snob’, has discovered a $70-a-week secret that has many rethinking their supermarket loyalty. She shared shared her journey from the aisles of Woolworths to the more budget-friendly shelves of ALDI.
Bronte and her partner made the switch about a year ago when an ALDI store opened conveniently down the road in their Sydney residence. Initially drawn in by ALDI’s Special Buys, Bronte soon realised the substantial savings on her grocery bill.
‘At Woolies, we were consistently paying about $250, which is what kind of made us make the switch because every time we had a grocery shop, we just kind of wanted to cry a bit,’ Bronte explained.
The couple’s weekly grocery expenses have since dropped to an average of $180, covering all their meals from breakfast to dinner. This significant reduction in spending has not come at the cost of quality or variety, according to Bronte. She has found that ALDI offers comparable meat and produce, and by making smart swaps to non-brand name items, especially in home products like cleaning supplies and toilet paper, the savings add up.
Despite the savings, Bronte and her partner still visit Woolworths for specific items they prefer, such as Mexican seasoning and products. The convenience of having both stores in close proximity allows them to maximise their savings while not compromising on their favourite products.
Bronte’s experience is not unique. Many Australians have shared similar stories of switching to ALDI and enjoying the financial benefits. The discount chain’s smaller range, which is a fraction of the 20,000 to 25,000 products offered by Coles and Woolworths, is one of the reasons ALDI can keep prices low. With only 1,800 items, ALDI’s focused selection eliminates the overwhelming choice and helps shoppers stick to their budgets.
A government-funded supermarket price report by CHOICE supports the anecdotal evidence, showing that a basket of 14 essential items at ALDI was significantly cheaper than the same basket at Woolworths, Coles, and IGA.
Grocery spending in Australia reached a record high in January, with households reporting an average weekly spend of $209, up from $188 the previous year. With four in five Australians actively looking to cut their grocery bills, strategies such as switching to cheaper brands, shopping at multiple stores, and meal planning are becoming commonplace.
Bronte herself has embraced meal planning and prepping as additional ways to save money, along with reducing dining out during the week. She highlights the value in ALDI’s offerings, such as a kilo of chicken for $10, which provides an easy and affordable dinner option.
As we navigate the rising cost of living and explore various ways to manage our grocery budgets, Bronte’s experience with switching supermarkets offers a perspective on how small changes can lead to significant savings.
It’s a reminder that brand loyalty can come at a cost and that exploring other options might just lead to significant savings without sacrificing quality.
Have you found ways to save on your weekly shop? Do you have a mix-and-match strategy that combines different supermarkets? Or perhaps you’ve discovered the joys of Aldi’s Special Buys? Let us know in the comments below, and let’s help each other make the most of our grocery budgets.
Also read: ALDI launches big shift—here’s how it could completely change the way you shop
