The cost of living with Coles and Woolworths | Four Corners

From the farm to supermarket shelves, we uncover why you’re paying more at the checkout exposing the secret tactics being used by supermarkets to keep the prices high - and the competition out.
Coles and Woolworths have reported record profits amid a rise in the cost of living - and while both deny price gouging, there are now six inquiries and reviews targeting the big two Australian supermarkets.
Reporter Angus Grigg interviews the CEOs of Coles and Woolworths, addressing concerns from frustrated customers.
Insiders say shoppers are the “ones that are getting screwed” as prices for basic household goods become higher and the profit margins of grocery stores become larger.
00:00: Intro - The super powers
3:24: The history of supermarkets
5:15: Coles and Woolworths
7:25: What the CEOs say
15:00: Power imbalance
18:10 What is ColesWorth?
19:04: Price matching
20:00: Insiders speak out
22:38: Price gouging?
27:50: The CEO walkout
32:00: Are specials really specials?
34:40: Dark stores
39:20: ‘Two Churches’ wine
41:55: Land banking
Read more about this story here: www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-1...
This episode was originally broadcast as ‘Super Power’ on 19 February 2024 on ABC TV and ABC iview.
Four Corners is Australia’s premier investigations documentary series.
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Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

[@SundayzCrows33]

Everyone in Australia needs to watch this because the majority are affected and are suffering.

[@7thNoteOfficial]

Facts

[@stephendownes6331]

If Coles standards are so high, why is so much of the fresh fruit and veg at my local Coles is so shit.

[@billylyf6995]

I saw a "special" on cadbury chocolate blocks 2 for $15. Might as well shop at the servo

[@markbeale7390]

Coles woollies servo ?

[@grooviechickie]

Just keep in mind that it's not the lowly worker's fault... so please, don't go into a supermarket tomorrow and abuse the staff. They're being taken advantage of as well. 😢

[@PANN1Cau]

This is the kind of journalism ABC needs to keep going because no one else will. Hopefully something comes out of all of this.

[@AGIBOY827]

Love the try hard PR team making the woollies CEO look like a common worker. I can tell you now that CEO hasn't worn a name tag and woollies shirt for years.

[@cannabiss9433]

Are you familiar with the term Colesworth? "I'm not" *GULP*

[@nitramfox2511]

I just hope that the young lady doesn’t suffer any consequences for her voicing her concerns for OH&S.

[@barbecueman6352]

Fantastic! Now do the housing market/property developers

[@esrynshudder4216]

Finally this issue is being spoken about, the whole system needs to be revolutionised. It's 20 years overdue, how much longer should consumers, suppliers and farmers be screwed over?

[@cameronmale83]

Remember they had Bi-Lo and Franklins, there were smaller operators they bought into their organisation. They completely replaced them... no competition. Break them up.

[@Mikeeey01NZL]

'We're not profiteering at the expense of customers' Those massive annual profits prove that aye!

[@johnnyb1368]

Every time we shop at coles or woolworths it feels like you are being robbed.

[@tude17]

don't shop there...shop around small independents, like IGA/local growers/farmers markets/locally owned green grocers etc...is how I shop. I save heaps by spreading my spending around these types of stores and am supporting the local community/families by doing so...I don't spend a single dollar with Coles or Woolworths.

[@Joseph-vf5yq]

It really does, even a small shop costs an obscene amount of money.

[@anthonyplaysbass]

​@@tude17 IGA prices are still obscene

[@GetSwifty]

@@tude17 Not everyone has that option.

[@AviationSports1978]

Why don’t the farmers all get together and make their own chain ? They could then cut out coles and Woolworths and turn the tables

[@MrMazRx]

you've got to be kidding me !!!!!!!!!!!!!......10 mins into a 46:53 minute clip, I'm getting an add for Woolworths and their cheap prices..... ffs !

[@7thNoteOfficial]

😂

[@jdview5062]

thanks for keeping the comments open for this, and for taking the time to do a piece that is very top of mind for society. Leah and Brad are so out of touch. Leah, never heard of the term "Colesworth". Brad, requesting to scrub poor comments instead of owning his mistake straight away. Very telling.

[@shabberto]

Yeah those two were next level.

[@noodles5004]

They have been doing it for years but we're reaching a breaking point now.

[@fiuonio]

each time i get groceries, the price increases. disgustingly greedy

[@bernadettemarietavendale7055]

I remember back in the 80s & 90s we had Franklin's, SSW, Tuckerbag, Safeway, Coles New World, BI-LO & Goodfellows & actual competition but now nope

[@johnwely]

That would have to be one of your best Four Corners shows ever, its juat a shame that the public cannot see that they are getting totally ripped off, please four Corners keep on hounding these miserable bastards, and dont let up.

[@maladjustedtv]

Buy fruit & veg from a fruit & veg shop, buy meat from a butcher, & shop at IGA & Aldi

[@terroraustralia]

I would if we had any. Not living in a city doesn’t help.

[@debrasmith915]

I'm gonna start doing that😅

[@Misslastcentury]

Not everyone has access to fruit and butchers shops or much choice living in regional areas.

[@kkohs4410]

yeah, always buy from Asian supermarket/butchers. They've heaps of butchers selling at low price!

[@gaylebyrne5839]

This is so disgusting. Thank you ABC. They have no shame.

[@robberlin2230]

Great effort to the journalist here. Great questions, the story built throughout. Gaslighting is the tactical manoeuvre of all leaders it seems. As much as the Woolworth CEO overstepped the "retired" comment the coles CEO came across as unwilling to listen and unwilling to acknowledge the underlying hatred of their company. Australians know Coles is ripping off suppliers, but to see her dismiss this as a non issue will ultimately stir up the hatred and do their brand a disservice. She is obviously on a tight budget herself and must also sing the tune handed down from the board. What a soulless life...

[@stephendownes6331]

There should be a law against hiding a so called "special" of say a reduced price when the same product cost less the week before but they raise the price off publication then promote the product as on special based on the new higher price to hide the change.

[@sundance9042]

Broke my heart to see those beautiful cherry trees destroyed 🍒💔🍒 Well done 4 Corners!

[@nadinewhittome9140]

Has anyone mentioned the price of dishwasher tablets or razors yet? Or how about how Coles and Woolworths have pushed out competing grocery items to replace with their own, yet these lines contain gluten or traces of gluten whereas the original products did not. They have reduced my choice in grocery items by a considerable amount in the last few years.

[@ebb8870]

Everything goes up but my wage...

[@azron201]

My local woolies sold oranges for $11/kg I obviously went somewhere else way cheaper and when I returned a few weeks later they all went bad and were on sale for $8 which is still a crazy price

[@zemlya378]

vote with your dollar. Shop at local fruit and veg markets, butchers, etc. Deprive woolies and coles of customers. Its that simple

[@rogersliu1200]

that's absolute bs when the chips are $5 plus and $3.5 on special per bag. They are made by automated production lines with little human involvement and yet their prices inflated almost 100% in a year. Even the fed didn't hike the interest rate that quick.

[@faafaoaholima5176]

Thank you Four Corners for bringing it to light what Coles and Woolworths are doing to farmers, consumers and even their workers. More people need to watch this

[@scottnickels6136]

No surprise to Banducci step down the day after this aired!

[@Reindeer_jay]

Did my first shop at IGA last week. It cost maybe $20 more I reckon. Happy to pay it to not go to Woolies again.

[@Pinpadprompts]

Love the CEO dressed like he just finished a shift after highschool.

[@suz1453]

I'm so glad you didn't beep out the angry comments!! It's an honest account of us battler's giving them the finger!

[@oonie99]

This is the tip of the iceberg. They should talk to employees of these companies. They see a lot more than they think. The CEO of Coles and Woolies didn't really put on a good show either.

[@KiwiinAustralia]

Arrogant greedy corporations.

[@wbadventures2024]

Thank you ABC for letting us use the comment section, now I can read all the genuine frustrations and responses

[@jimity7530]

Memo to the Coles CEO. When you start a sentence with “Sooo…” you sound out of touch and condescending 😒

[@nabiji]

Stop shopping at Colesworth. Vote with your feet.

[@TomDoesTech]

Australia needs a Co-op

[@shabberto]

This is an epic episode from Four Corners well done

[@iloveyoursweaterrrr]

We need to be out protesting this

[@biggysmalls8239]

Finally some great journalism!! Well done !!👍

[@warrenmischke1646]

As shoppers we need to support our famers who are the fresh food people. I have never seen Woolworth grow any crops or any farms owned by them. People of Australia if they won't change there ways don't shop with these two Coles and Woolworths remember people power will over come.

[@lac19951]

This is not just Coles and Woolworths. Aussies are being ripped off in every corner because they're willing to pay.

[@kkohs4410]

more like there's no choice. It's food after all. Nobody would starve over money.

[@SunStar-ch2jz]

I only buy cat food and basics on sale, I’m not brand or store loyal - I go for quality at the lowest price point. I also compare market and aldi’s prices. I use to think my nan was crazy buying weekly grocery’s from 4-5 different stores at a time - now I completely get it (she grew up in the depression) as the saying goes ‘ watch the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves’ 🎉

[@lisadolan689]

I actively AVOID both

[@simonhill4021]

It's not just groceries, a lot of goods/services are jumping on the bandwagon.

[@jasmine-amelias]

Very well presented- as a young person it feels good to have these concerns being spoken about. Social media has been discussing this for months- its not right.

[@DeadDancers]

So what I want to know, is how do I buy direct from the farmer? I’ve looked for local farmers market but a lot of the time the sellers seem to be reselling middle men charging a premium for the perception of it being straight from and to the farm.

[@redlillium1]

I feel so sorry for our farmers, they are being robbed.

[@bradleystevo5034]

I feel sad for that cherry farmer

[@ooialb8616]

and those cherry trees!!!!

[@shondra6]

Yes . Very sad. My sister went through something similar years back with avacados, of which the trees were bulldozed down eventually as it was no longer viable to sell them.

[@mjmjmj50]

Love your work Angus , at least we got to see them squirm.

[@tonycostanzo4276]

Bring back the small business

[@KB-gq7ou]

Here in Canada, our companies are doing the same thing aka loblaws, prices went up during COVID and just never came down

[@OhhFuckYeh]

I hope "ethical" supers don't invest in Coles or Woolworths cause there isn't anything "ethical" about them.

[@teresanicholson6241]

With rent and power who can afford to eat Everything is so expensive

[@ricktasker4520]

I was in the grocery industry 20 years ago. Nothing has changed

[@trudyfox938]

Angus Grigg pushes back. Brad Banducci: “I think I’m done now guys” Brad announces he is stepping down today (as of 1 September)

[@froggy0162]

Having recently moved to Tasmania, I really really miss Aldi…

[@raceace]

Four Corners to help Australia fight the good fight if not the most necessary fight.

[@marsellem6175]

Great story. I'm afraid that nothing will happen to correct the market. Needing more competition.

[@pomelotree2]

From the customers side, the only thing we can do is to boycott them, 😊

[@RachelJayne92]

..and go where?

[@mariyamubashir8818]

Finally !! some brave people with guts have brought this into light I really appreciate it. There are some good people out there In this world where nobody cares about anybody. Keep up your good work 👍🏻

[@crueltyfreecolorist1025]

Same in New Zealand! We don’t have Coles but we have Woolworths/Countdown so it applies.

[@juanitarichards1074]

Sell the cherries direct to the public. I'd buy them, they are my favourite fruit and in NZ they are anywhere from $26 to $40 a kilo in season. I can't afford that.

[@silvernoob1603]

all well and good, however these farmers need to sell volume , they aren't hobby farms

[@queenofthebutterflies5212]

Jesus, your heart goes out to the farmers, ey?

[@KingiKuki]

Woolworths and Foodstuffs are doing exactly the same in NZ

[@ah-chakhan682]

Aldi is matching prices with woolworths and coles as well. they need to be on this documentary

[@sjj7236]

This is disgusting, I worry there will be less and less farmers in Australia. Less and less local wonderful farming produce to choose from. I'm going to be more picky about choosing Australian products.

[@_akira_akira_]

That was a compelling watch! Thanks Four Corners!

[@dennismckee1979]

Anyone notice that prices go up in the dollars not cents?

[@impermanent-being]

I miss Franklins and Bi-Lo.

[@JAK3ELEFANTSAMUEL]

Im so relieved this is being talked about the word duopoly needs to enter the aussie lexicon

[@niffumau]

Why not cover how woolworths and coles build their own stores so they can now exclude a 3rd party butcher or grocer

[@gavinlagrange6322]

Well done to ABC for this piece. You held them to task and did a fine job in the classic spirit of journalism.

[@hamishmunro8610]

Unfortunately when it comes to fresh fruit and vegetables it’s more of a war convince and laziness as all of us could be supporting farmers by purchasing from markets or directly from the farmers, we as a society also need to learn that just bc an apple might not look like it belongs in instagram doesn’t mean it’s not an amazingly tasty apple

[@johnstath9666]

Finally and bravo ABC.

[@lindisfarnedruidakaganjawa5081]

Greed will kill us all unless we dispose of the greedy.

[@love-garden279]

cause they're greedy

[@invader893invade6]

Maybe this is poor management by our government as they do not regulate companies

[@yellowpete79]

All governments for decades. Be honest.

[@nowhirr8135]

One 15 minute break every 5hr shift should be illegal

[@7thNoteOfficial]

Try 7 min break 😐

[@miam1074]

but why destroy the cherry orchard????! why!???

[@Kni0002]

remember the days of sub 200 or $100 would get you a trolleys worth of food.. That was not even that long ago like in 2010s. Does help to shop around like on amazon like some products like shampoo can be 1/3 the price at woolworths for the same item. Or take advantage of coupons and discounted gift cards. but shouldn't be a hassle just to get a slightly lower price...

[@Sacrederb]

New Zealand is a mirror image. Same same duopoly. Something stinks!

[@mamoandrew]

To prevent monopolies their should be a limit to the number of stores any supermarket can have in Australia

[@Almighty_Tubsta]

i dont shop at either anymore unless no alternatives

[@luminabliss]

Great journalism! This was such a compelling watch.

[@mako_bd7012]

Great piece of journalism ABC. More of this please! Do housing next!

[@azzajohnson2123]

There is no way knowing the coles CEO has not heard the term, colesworth.

[@ShadowAussie]

The big gulp after she said no maybe?? lol

[@antpoo]

I live on bread and cereals. I’m not poor either, but I refuse to pay these prices.

[@Daniel-vu4qu]

Perfect! Can we do a piece on property investors and developers next?

[@cjod33]

Woolies made it very clear recently as to what they think about Australia.

[@TabletsAndTemples]

Chilled neck ties?! 😔

[@iamwaseemnoori]

Thank you ABC for standing by consumers.

[@yaboiyoshio8622]

I hope this is seen by every Australian

[@sarozkc]

Best Australian reporter. 👏

[@gabrielbattika]

Tis is the type of reporting the ABC need to do and so display its independence and unbias stance to the public

[@tezzanewton]

Our food being stored at 35 degrees C