The second GROCERYchoice data has been posted on the GROCERYchoice website, grocerychoice.gov.au.

The latest survey shows that, on a total grocery basket, Coles supermarkets are the cheapest in 40 of the 61 regions surveyed.  This compares with 52 of 61 regions in the inaugural GROCERYchoice survey. Further, on a national basis, the price difference between Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets has narrowed.

The basket prices represent the average price for a retailer within a specified region, not the price for a specific individual supermarket outlet.  Prices are calculated for the following grocery baskets: meat and seafood; fruit and vegetables; dairy; breads and cereals; drinks and other snacks; general groceries; household and personal care.

The price of a basic staples basket is also calculated.  It includes a range of staple products from the other baskets.  As a result of ALDI's smaller product range, this is the only basket that lists an ALDI supermarket's price. In September, ALDI remained the cheapest for a basic staples basket.

The retailers surveyed include: Woolworths/Safeway; Coles/BI-LO; ALDI (where present in a region); and other supermarket retailers, for example IGA and Franklins.

GROCERYchoice publishes the prices of grocery baskets at supermarket chains across Australia.  The baskets include 500 products typically bought by Australian households, including branded and private label products. To stop survey manipulation, the individual product list for each supermarket retailer remains confidential and products included are rotated.

The survey results are issued on the first business day of the following month.

GROCERYchoice collects information about grocery prices alone. Consumers can take this information into account with a range of other important factors when determining where to shop, including the location and accessibility of supermarkets to them, the quality of fresh produce, the product and produce range, and their assessment of the quality of service.