Woolworths increased prices of at least four ‘family staples’ during ‘Price Freeze’ promotion
News Source
•Thu, 10 Sep 2026 22:05:29 GMT
📰 What Happened
New pricing data shows Woolworths raised the price of at least four key products during its 'Price Freeze' promotion. That promotion promised frozen prices on 300 family staples for three months from 1 May. Chicken fillets went up 33%. A 420g can of three-bean mix nearly doubled, from 60c to $1, before dropping back on 17 August.
The data came from a price tracking site and was given to Guardian Australia. Woolworths says the older prices were temporary specials, not standard shelf prices.
🔍 The Backstory
Australian shoppers have faced years of rising grocery bills, and supermarkets have been accused of confusing pricing. Woolworths recently posted a $1.14 billion profit.
A government review and a competition watchdog case have put supermarket pricing under the spotlight. Consumer groups argue that shoppers should be able to trust a promotion when a store calls it a price freeze. Supermarkets say they face rising costs from suppliers too.
🎯 Why It Matters
Families trust promotions to save them money. If prices creep up during a 'freeze', shoppers pay more than they expect and trust in supermarkets drops.
New pricing data shows Woolworths raised the price of at least four key products during its 'Price Freeze' promotion. That promotion promised frozen prices on 300 family staples for three months from 1 May. Chicken fillets went up 33%. A 420g can of three-bean mix nearly doubled, from 60c to $1, before dropping back on 17 August.
The data came from a price tracking site and was given to Guardian Australia. Woolworths says the older prices were temporary specials, not standard shelf prices.
Australian shoppers have faced years of rising grocery bills, and supermarkets have been accused of confusing pricing. Woolworths recently posted a $1.14 billion profit.
A government review and a competition watchdog case have put supermarket pricing under the spotlight. Consumer groups argue that shoppers should be able to trust a promotion when a store calls it a price freeze. Supermarkets say they face rising costs from suppliers too.
Families trust promotions to save them money. If prices creep up during a 'freeze', shoppers pay more than they expect and trust in supermarkets drops.