Australians are forking out close to $200 on their weekly grocery shop, but new research from Compare the Market shows they may be able to cut some bills in half by simply switching to cheaper alternatives.
Compare the Market analysed 20 everyday household items at two major supermarkets and found that Australians could fork out around $164 for a trolley of brand-name items, but just $83 for a trolley of similar generic or home-brand items – a difference of 49%.
The analysis, as part of the upcoming 2025 Household Budget Barometer, examined a range of items including pantry staples such as bread, milk, eggs and cheese to household essentials like washing powder, toilet paper, and multipurpose cleaners.
The weekly grocery shop remains Australia’s biggest bill burden, with one in five Australians (21%) listing groceries as their most worrisome household bill.*
Aussies are spending around $198.16 on their weekly shop, equal to $858.69 each month and $10,304.32 annually. That spend is up 3.39% or $338 more a year.
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said some small changes each week at the grocery store could equate to big savings.
“The proof is in the pudding! It pays to compare when shopping, as the savings can be significant,” Mr Ford said. “We found that a shopper could stand to save up to $81 on by ditching the big names with pretty packaging. If they did the same shop every week over a year, that’s an annual difference of $4,212.”
@comparethemarketauWhat ways are you trying to save at the supermarket? Tell us in the comments. The weekly grocery shop remains Australia’s biggest bill burden, with exclusive research from Compare the Market’s upcoming 2025 Household Budget Barometer revealing that one in five Australians (21%) list groceries as their most worrisome household bill.* But shoppers may be able to claw back nearly half of their grocery costs by switching from well-known, named brands to generic home brand products at the supermarket. Compare the Market analysed 20 everyday household items at two major supermarkets and found that Australians could fork out around $164 for a trolley of brand-name items, but just $83 for a trolley of similar generic or home-brand items – a difference of 49%. #SmartChoices #savings #Budget #PersonalFinance
Savings were observed in each of the 20 items across both major supermarkets when switching from the brand name to home brand, with reductions stretching from as little as 30 cents in some cases to as much as $23 for laundry powder.
The products with the biggest price differences included:
- Laundry powder 4kg – $23.00 difference
- Instant coffee 200g – $9.50 difference
- Body wash 1L – $7.20 difference
- Mouthwash 500mL – $6.00 difference
- Multipurpose cleaner spray 750mL – $5.00 difference
“Some of the biggest price gaps were in the bathroom aisle – things like mouthwash and bodywash – as well as cleaning products like washing powder and kitchen sprays,” Mr Ford said.
Mr Ford’s top tips for saving more at the grocery store
- Plan before you shop.
Avoid impulse buying by doing your homework. See which stores are offering the best deals and remember to look beyond the major supermarkets. Spreading your shop across multiple retailers, including discount or department stores, may lead to greater savings, especially on items such as snacks, drinks, and household goods. - Don’t let brand loyalty cost you.
Sticking to the same brands or stores out of habit might be costing you more. Switching brands or being open to different retailers could result in bigger savings, so always ensure you’re being rewarded if you are staying loyal to one store or brand. - Look beyond the sale signs.
A product marked “discounted” or “on sale” may not always be the best option. Focus on the unit price to see what you’re truly paying. This helps you determine whether buying in bulk or opting for a smaller size offers better value. - Make the most of your loyalty programs.
Always scan your rewards cards and use your store apps to “boost” your offers. Every point counts and many promotions are only available through the apps. Some programs also offer premium tiers that promise more discounts and faster point accumulation, but ensure these rewards outweigh the price you’re paying to be a member. - Check for hidden perks you’re entitled to.
Your energy retailer, insurance company or even mobile carrier might offer exclusive shopping discounts. Log in to your account to see if you have access to any shopping benefits you’re not already utilising.
*Survey of 3,006 Australian adults, conducted August 2025.
For more information, please contact:
Phillip Portman | 0437 384 471 | [email protected]
Compare the Market is a comparison service that takes the hard work out of shopping around. We make it Simples for Australians to quickly and easily compare and buy insurance, energy, and home loans products from a range of providers. Our easy-to-use comparison tool helps you look for a range of products that may suit your needs and benefit your back pocket.
Research for journalists.
| Store 1 | Store 2 | |||||
| Item | Generic | Named | Difference | Generic | Named | Difference |
| Milk Full Cream 2L | $3.00 | $6.90 | $3.90 | $3.20 | $6.90 | $3.70 |
| Tasty Cheese 250g | $5.50 | $7.50 | $2.00 | $5.00 | $7.50 | $2.50 |
| White bread 700g | $3.40 | $4.50 | $1.10 | $3.40 | $4.50 | $1.10 |
| Frozen peas 1kg | $4.50 | $4.80 | $0.30 | $3.80 | $4.80 | $1.00 |
| Wheat Biscuits 1.12-1.2kg | $5.00 | $6.00 | $1.00 | $5.00 | $6.00 | $1.00 |
| Tea bags 100 pack | $1.75 | $4.30 | $2.55 | $1.75 | $4.30 | $2.55 |
| Pasta spirals 500g | $0.90 | $2.00 | $1.10 | $0.90 | $2.00 | $1.10 |
| Corn chips 175g | $2.20 | $5.00 | $2.80 | $2.20 | $5.00 | $2.80 |
| Baked beans 420g | $1.10 | $2.70 | $1.60 | $1.10 | $2.70 | $1.60 |
| Yoghurt vanilla 1kg | $4.00 | $4.75 | $0.75 | $4.00 | $4.75 | $0.75 |
| Instant coffee 200g | $5.50 | $15.00 | $9.50 | $6.00 | $15.00 | $9.00 |
| Eggs free range 12 pack | $6.60 | $8.80 | $2.20 | $6.60 | $8.80 | $2.20 |
| Butter 250g | $4.00 | $5.20 | $1.20 | $4.00 | $4.50 | $0.50 |
| Chicken tenders 1kg | $9.00 | $13.50 | $4.50 | $9.00 | $13.50 | $4.50 |
| Laundry powder 4kg | $5.00 | $21.00 | $16.00 | $5.00 | $28.00 | $23.00 |
| Body wash 1L | $4.80 | $12.00 | $7.20 | $4.80 | $12.00 | $7.20 |
| Multipurpose cleaner spray 750ml | $2.00 | $7.00 | $5.00 | $2.00 | $7.00 | $5.00 |
| Toilet paper 3-ply 24 pack | $10.00 | $13.00 | $3.00 | $10.00 | $13.60 | $3.60 |
| Mouthwash 500mL | $2.00 | $8.00 | $6.00 | $2.00 | $8.00 | $6.00 |
| Mint chocolate biscuits 200g | $3.00 | $5.50 | $2.50 | $3.00 | $5.50 | $2.50 |
Disclaimer: Reflective of regular retail price. Gathered 5/8/2025. Prices are subject to change but accurate at time of comparison. Items sourced from coles.com.au and woolworths.com.au
