Woolworths & Coles To Face Court Over Alleged Fake Discounts

The ACCC has launched legal action against Coles and Woolworths after they allegedly misled buyers with fake discounts.
Economist Greg Jericho tells us if the supermarket giants will be worried.

[@Idontwantahandle3]

They raise the price by $3, then discount it by 50 Cents so that they can slap a discount label on it. Don't be fooled, it went up $2.50!

[@JCMVR]

They should refund the amount of money they stole from the customers.

[@theysprey7777]

Or we just walkout with what we are owed.

[@sridharnagireddy]

Please break the Monopolism ..as a permanent fix not the fines...

[@davidhamtaro]

There’s always local grocers, Asian grocers, iga, aldi. Who needs woolies and coles.

[@j2simpso]

Part of the problem I see is the country has a food security issue. Other parts of the world produce and other staples aren't expensive for the simple fact that they can be imported cheaply anytime you want. Indeed, for me it was jaw dropping moving here from Canada where in the winter you cannot get peaches or nectarines (well you can but it'd cost you $30/kg). In Canada we get it year round because we import from the US, Mexico and Central America who can plant these things year round. Same thing in Europe, when I was living in the UK, I could count on getting what I needed whenever because they could import freely from EU markets like Spain or Portugal.

[@basdfgwe]

@@j2simpso Food in australia is not a problem, the problem is that the duopoly has inflated the prices. Theres no food security issues in Australia.

[@davidhamtaro]

@@basdfgwe 💯

[@sonjakozman1699]

Sanitary and cleaning items also cokes/woolies have bought out all the large spaces that would allow other markets to compete

[@penitent2401]

People go to supermarket as one stop shop to get most or all of their groceries in one trip, local grocers don't always have what you want. IGA most items are more expensive, Aldi is good choice but they don't have as large variety of any given item. Personally I go to multiple shops to buy what I need, fresh food like meat and vegies from Farmer Jacks or Spudshed and frozen stuff from Aldi. But people short on time or they need a specific variety or brand, there's no where else.

[@ronaldmurray7746]

II'm tired of paying almost double the price from one week to the next How a large bottle of iced tea can be 3 dollars one week, double the next, or potato chips double the price, Pure greed

[@MrBibi86]

why a packet of Smackos cost $4.50 2 years ago at Woolies now cost me $8.50 a pack!

[@Dark_Night2]

I am only living in Australia for only 2 years and I have never seen such scams in the past 20 years

[@multioptioned]

Welcome to Australia! One of the 2 million immigrants in the past 3 years?

[@Dark_Night2]

@@multioptionedthank you so much. I really like Australia and I am not judging it in a wrong way. If it had has one bad side there are 100s of good sides.

[@coopsnz1]

More than 125 taxes why australia a scam

[@multioptioned]

@coopsnz1 Yes, I remember that to get the GST introduced they promised a whole raft of taxes would be removed, including stamp duty.... Never happened. Now happy to double dip into the tax bucket.

[@ChantellH-ut7vk]

Is the fine’s going to be high enough for them to STOP the Price gouging ?? I think not!

[@chrystaljelena22]

There must be an election coming up. These accusations have been going on for years. The government and Cole’s and Woolworths collude to get money from us, then the government fines them and takes it. Then they use that Money to pay the ACCC (a job creation strategy, same as rental inspectors who get paid to say the price is right because the neighbourhood is coming up). This is a marketing strategy on many, many levels. Even Cole’s and Woolworths get free advertising. Cos they will run campaigns of apology and reassurance. But at the end of the day, the people they stole from won’t get their money back.

[@btecpostmaster]

They can be fined up to $50 million per instance, so if there have been lets say 10 instances where they have done this that would come to a fine of $500 million. if there are more the fines can mount up very quickly.

[@basdfgwe]

@@btecpostmaster So basically the fines get passed on to the consumers.

[@btecpostmaster]

@@basdfgwe as opposed to stealing from consumers by criminal conduct and dishonesty? I mean they broke the law, are you really saying they should not be prosecuted for that?

[@basdfgwe]

@@btecpostmaster not what I'm saying, prosecute them and dish our the fine if thats all we have available but this is not going to hurt them because they will pass this on to the customers. Slowly raising prices to make the difference. They need to undertake something more serious than simple fines.

[@tm92489]

Now we are going to pay their fine and legal costs too 😂

[@allan1837]

i refuse to use self serve, for that very reason... if there are no registers open... I tell them that i have already finished my days work.. and if I wanted to work at a register , I would have applied for job to do just that.. twice I have walked out without my shopping because they refused to open.. a register...I followed both of these up with a written complaint to both the manger, and the on line complaint department

[@Dedicated_to_Jesus_downunder]

Support local little fruit and vegie shops and other places like bakeries and butchers and shop with other places where you can buy other long life items like rice, flours etc. Sadly little shops can't compete with woolies and coles- I know I have to pay a bit extra to support my local fruit and vegie shop and to buy other things from other suppliers but I think its so important to help little people and stop shopping with these greedy giants as much as possible. I don't know about other places but in my area the supermarket is messy, the fresh food sometimes is disgusting, the shelves untidy and the floor revolting, dirty and unhygenic. I don't know if they are cutting corners on washing floors but honestly it leaves a lot to be desired!

[@JamesJones-kb2tw]

Feel like Labor think they work for big business and not the people. A lot of words, very little action.

[@basdfgwe]

Always check the ticket underneath sale ticket... The amount of times the price underneath had been the same or lower than the sale price.

[@jliang70]

Sure, but how about the energy companies that now charge a fortune for their supply of gas and electricity, I just saw my gas bill for the last quarter from AGL and it is now almost 3 times of my bill over the same period a year ago. Every quarter I am paying about $150 per month when it was around $100 a year ago. If ACCC is questioning the supermarket over their honesty with their often questionable practice on discount then when are they going to take action over the utility companies when their price gauging is even more apparent than the supermarket, when the utility price are rising in the region of 50-200% .

[@WillC-s5q]

Same shady corporations own them tooooo

[@egl3369]

If they get fined they will just make prices higher to pay for it...

[@j2simpso]

Frankly I don't see the point in fining them. Do you want to give them a taste of their own medicine? Force them to lock in their prices from 2021 for a full year, and then after that they can only raise prices up to 2023 levels. That'll hurt them more than a couple of bucks fine that they simply pass on to consumers.

[@MrBibi86]

they will just jack-up the prices to pay for the fines. like how banks do the same

[@coopsnz1]

@@MrBibi86 government always tax corporation more and franchise pay it or consumers

[@bdstratton1979]

fines dont work. they need to be broken up

[@magical_catgirl]

They also need to pay their staff correctly. They claim to have fixed it, but they haven't. They owe me thousands in unpaid wages and allowances

[@jimmyjuju]

If the government *really* wanted to do something, it would allow Costco, Tesco, and others to compete openly in the market.

[@blackflagqwerty]

Amazon does the same thing Just before Prime Day and Cyber monday.

[@chocolate-ou4kq]

Should introduce more oversea big name supermarkets into OZ for competition. I always support Aldi

[@WillC-s5q]

Albrecht brothers are 2 of the richest known people in the world, your money still leaves the community

[@corey6722]

I noticed it with Coke and Pepsi one fortnight Coke is on special and the next it’s Pepsi and it goes on and on same discounts every couple weeks.

[@bdstratton1979]

weve noticed the sales alternate between coles and woolies Eg Coke 24 pack is $23 at Coles 1 week then the next week the same sale is at Woolies and they rotate

[@TheWilso2703]

Don't deserve to be treated like fools?.... super markets plus government does it everyday!

[@sianapapalii1939]

Hope everyone goes to Costco shopping to cover months

[@MrBibi86]

not everyone lives in a city where these is Coistco

[@WillC-s5q]

Blackrock is the main shareholder of Coles and Costco, they own everything

[@TonyDudeele-lg7eo]

We need a royal commission into the supermarkets and companies who rip off Australians need to face meaningful consequences

[@gordonclark7632]

At last! I had telling my friends for ages about this practice. I had seen an item suddenly go up and then come down on a 1/2 price sale which was still higher than the original price.

[@tonybloomfield5635]

The bottom line is Labors high inflation. They are the ones who should be facing court.

[@petertwining5729]

Nothing will change until divestiture laws are bought in, like they have in many other countries. It will stop this total abuse of market share because it’s so much better than fines which will be passed onto the consumer at the checkout. Gutless Albanese won’t bring the new law in so clearly his rhetoric about prices is just a double standard. Previous governments have all contributed to this Coles and Woolworths duopoly here in Australia.

[@amandabird4140]

Yes actually I am learning to grow and preserve my own food not just for my family but others too

[@iggyblog284]

Half the retailers in Australia do this, thought it was a pretty standard marketing tactic. I once worked in a clothing shop that would import stock with ridiculous price tags, sell them at full price for a week or two, then the staff would mark them down with a price gun and they would remain on sale for the next several months. Every few weeks we would change the Sales Posters to give the store a new look. Summer Sale, Winter Sale, End of Year Sale, Spring Sale, Easter Sale, Mid Year Sale, Back to Work Sale, etc.

[@SecretSquirrrrel]

Yup. Clothes from Bangladesh for 40 cents then sold for $29.95.

[@WillC-s5q]

Half the retailers are owned by Blackrock and vanguard

[@willmacky2629]

I also dont understand how seafood is so expensive considering we are surrounded by sea. I was in Atlantic Canada last year and you can get seafood for 1/3 of the price!

[@sniperbattle666]

Sue for refundment, each tax payer gets x amount of dollars

[@magmabuildup]

accc = toothless tiger

[@user-dy9bm7sk7n]

EXACTLY.

[@multioptioned]

When has ACCC blocked a big bank taking over smaller competitors? They are anti competition consumer commission.

[@juneorr3612]

No obligation to buy their products at any time. Go elsewhere

[@arclux]

Lol, the gubment is too gutless to really take them on.

[@whenandwheretv]

100m dollar fine is not enough - fine the companies their profits for that year, then redistribute that money back into the community. Guaranteed won't happen again. 100m dollar fine will only be a drop in the ocean to them

[@user-fed-yum]

Well there goes my superannuation, and that of 14,999,999 other hard working people just trying not to starve if and when we ever get to retire.

[@multioptioned]

Exactly. Be an investor in profitable businesses like supermarkets, banks, airlines etc .... not a customer! 💰👍

[@rob9263]

It’s a racket. A lot of retailers employ this strategy, it’s all about making the customer believe they got a “good deal” . . . . . . .

[@traceyholt8223]

Shop at Aldis, IGA and Costco!

[@lnyrny3]

Yep it's obvious and they are letting it happen. False advertising especially when they say half price $9 for a 500ml body wash when it's NEVER been $18. It's never even been$9. It's bullocks

[@margaretbugeja3872]

Woolies charging $6 for Tim Tams is extortion

[@multioptioned]

Who is buying? 😮

[@poita_m7142]

Why don't they also look into the constant prices being raised on a weekly basis. Everytme I buy my regular food items they are a higher price then they were the week before. Little by little everything is being raised in price. 😮

[@WillC-s5q]

Because government serves Blackrock and Israeli lobbyists

[@michaelbentley436]

The CEO when the offences occurred should be held to account and not be allowed to walk away with massive pay outs on their illegal business practises. Is that right MR QUANTAS, MR CROWN CASINO, MR WOOLWORTHS.

[@theysprey7777]

Mr Woolworths got paid out 8.6 million dollars

[@a0a0--0ao0]

At the end of the day, normal consumers like us are not compensated for all the thousandssssss of dollars we've been ripped off

[@hahaha9076]

Ok now fuel companies

[@sonjakozman1699]

Wake up, you're dreaming

[@coopsnz1]

franchise owned and fuel tax 75% to import

[@WillC-s5q]

Same people

[@WillC-s5q]

They own everything

[@rosielynmurphy892]

I only buy from W or Coles when they have half price specials and then their product prices are more than Aldi!

[@PWC67]

Fallout from the fines could possibly be a rise in prices in response whilst still making obscene profits all at the cost of the consumer. Getting sick of Alan Fels comments who did bugger all when he headed the ACCC.

[@lesh.354]

Sue fine them and bring in regulation to prevent this ever happening again….price gouging…..criminal.

[@patmigroin2808]

They earn billion$ what's a few million.

[@WillC-s5q]

Trillions, Blackrock and their co-offenders have a monopoly on everything

[@orricksturt1967]

Embarrassing to admit but I have walked out of Cole’s almost crying and more stress than when I went in

[@PWC67]

The big supermarkets want to confuse us by frequently changing prices so you’ll never know if you’re saving money or paying more. There should also be a shaming of companies that shrink the size of their products like they do in France at Carrefour supermarkets. They notify customers when package size has shrunk.

[@coopsnz1]

Look at price in usa without taxes and you know australia government ripping you off on food and majorty of things like luxury cars" fuel & alcohol

[@crashfellow82]

It's actually worse then that... they're using specials to hide mark ups. so a product is $4 this week, then $6 next week, however they put a special on top, saying it's on special for $3 this week, half price... the trick is you don't notice the price hike until next week and they say 'ohh it's been like that for a week already'

[@kierenmoore3236]

I was mislead a couple of days ago … I was being charged double on the items I was buying, versus what they were advertised for online (which is why I went in there).

[@penitent2401]

Sometimes if you lift up the discount price label on the shelves, they still left the old price tag underneath. I've made a habit of lifting and checking if it's really a discount or if the original price tag is actually cheaper.

[@bxyw]

EB games has been doing this since it existed.

[@bdstratton1979]

ebgames dont sell food. And the prices of games are controlled by the publisher. I used to work in the industry. Ebgames just sell at a loss to move their stock. They make most of their income from selling pre owned games.

[@naivoj122]

U can price match with EB as well.

[@sonjakozman1699]

You really think food and computer games are comparable?

[@coopsnz1]

if imported from europe it tax 15% more

[@bxyw]

Do you guys not understand they are being sued for faulty displaying sales? Sure games and food are completely different in the sense that one is a necessity and the other is a luxury. But for the relevance of this topic, they should also be investigated. When is there not a sale on there?

[@justimagine1164]

Question is now what? The coirt will penalise them 50 million for example, who will get that money? will the consumers get their robbed monies?

[@L8rCloud]

Why do self-checkout pay the same price as staffed checkouts?

[@sonjakozman1699]

Because we choose to go there. TRUST ME. If you want a discount for self checkout then they will simply raise the price on everything else.

[@multioptioned]

To cover the cost of theft due to self service! 😮

[@Gocajoca]

That's because there is no real competition in the market if the government was real about it they would open up the marketplace for any supermarket chain to come in and have 10 Supermarkets rather then 2-3

[@chrismac7447]

WHY AREN’T THEY FACING JUSTICE OVER WHAT THEY DONE TO US WORKERS WHO THEY SACKED FOR NOT GETTING AN EXPERIMENTAL INJECTION? LOCKED OUT FOR 6 MONTHS THEN SACKED. WE WORKED THROUGH THE WHOLE PLANDEMIC UNJABBED WHILE EVERYONE ELSE GOT TO STAY NICE AND SAFE AT HOME‼️

[@theysprey7777]

Sue them, others did and they won.

[@davidnecic3391]

I Don't Know if Yours Member Coles Said The Prices Will Go Down, Down, Down and Stay Down, When I Went into Coles The Coffee Prices Went Up $4.95, So Much For Keeping The Prices Staying Down at Coles, Thank you.

[@MahdiDashki]

I never Shop again of them,they are fake

[@vastcore]

the prices on 'special' are the normal old prices, and the non special prices are just price gouging, literally double the price from a couple years ago... Everything goes on special it's a rotation. hopefully this changes.

[@coopsnz1]

Iga more expensive and it a franchise small business

[@MrBibi86]

same with foodworks

[@rosiemcking72]

I agree, I don't know why peeps are saying to shop there instead, they are RIP OFF also...

[@jliang70]

There are very few items I do buy from Aldi, Coles and Woolworth. I buy most of my fresh meat and veges and fruit from places like Dandeonong and Queen Victoria Market. Meat and sea food are much better in quality than the one you get from the supermarkets. Fruit and veges are so much cheaper, dollar for dollar the quality is also better. I get milk and probably some snacks like chips, biscuits and maybe ice cream from supermarket.

[@multioptioned]

Competition in such a small market like Australia just doesn't work. ACCC and government do nothing to stop big banks buying out competition. Big airlines allowed to block out competition. Supermarkets are no different. Profit to owners and shareholders always comes first. Who do Australians invest in? Where is their superannuation money invested? 😮

[@adiintel1]

even if they push fines on them they will push it on the costs to customers. 😆

[@L8rCloud]

Great, the supermarkets are going to payout massive fines to the Government… What does the consumer get for all the money lost from price gouging..?? 🍩 👌

[@WillC-s5q]

Small fines to Blackrock and other investment groups.. spare change even if they give them the maximum of 500 million..

[@brucemackinnon-k3x]

Not duopoly. More oligopoly. No mention of Aldi, Costco, Campbells. Why?

[@WillC-s5q]

Costco owns Coles, also is in its own lane.. what's a Campbell's?

[@MrBibi86]

*I want the ACCC to investigate why a packet of Smackos cost $4.50 2 years ago at Woolies now cost me $8.50 a pack!? lol*

[@theysprey7777]

That’s nothing to lol about

[@MrBibi86]

@@theysprey7777I agree. but if you don't fake laugh you cry.

[@rossalynsmith5253]

There is another supermarket which is IGA and Aldi

[@ultimobile]

P.S. this is INTERNATIONAL NEWS - I was told this was reported as shameful news on an Asian language website

[@BrizAU]

If people boycott buying food the stores will have to consider.reducing prices.

[@danieljames4050]

If only everyone went to their local markers and IGA...

[@coopsnz1]

The government bankrupt franchise why there less today

[@spidy278]

SAME TOPIC EVERY TIME, CONSUMER THINKS THEY WON IF THESE MOBS GOT FINED.....THEY PAY THE FINE BUT SLOGGING CONSUMERS IN FUTURE WITH MORE HIKES

[@kevysrandomstuff5835]

fine $500m should do it, govt has the power to suspend the company woolworths be 1st and freeze accounts, just one big scam

[@RosaCulhane]

Why now Albo ? The supermarkets have been doing this all along same with fuel costs why don’t you and your treasurer fix the problems you have caused to our economy that would make a high difference to our lives

[@owenbrody]

Do the funds from the lawsuit go back to the people who got hit or to the government who aloud it to happen? 🤔

[@kd359]

Still more than the Liberals/Nationals EVER did, which was nothing!

[@WillC-s5q]

Both sides are lobbied by Blackrock and other major investors, Labor and liberal is an illusion of choice.. Oh and even though they won't, if they gave the maximum of 500 million fine, it's like you being find a half shilling

[@Ira__L]

My "favourite" thing they've been doing lately is attaching giant security devices to cheap, not high-end baby formula brands because they are afraid of a $20 loss and god forbid someone who is struggling tries to feed their child! They equate baby formula to caviar or expensive beef steak, it's so wild. I just go to the Chemist Warehouse instead, I don't feel like waiting at the checkout for help from their staff to remove the device, and the staff always seemed to be bewildered as well.

[@multioptioned]

Export baby formula. It a lucrative side hustle. Chinese people put me on to it! 💰👍

[@mouseno4]

There is no fine the ACCC could possible give either company that would provide enough of a penalty to deter them from just continuing to rip off their customers, simply as a cost of doing business. Many companies the world over, have industry fines as part of their expenses, because they know full well they will be fined. The trouble is, fines are so ridiculously tiny that it's like giving someone who earns $1000 a week, a fine of like $2. If your making in this example, $1000 a WEEK, are you genuinely going to give a damn about a $2 fine? No. Not in the slightest.

[@theysprey7777]

Woolworths, 4 pack of “Mother” energy drinks $8.30 full price one week, next week $12.45 full price, then following week $7.68 on special.

[@airfreshna1]

They usually do this when they are raising prices perminantly say something is $2 and they will sell it for $2.5 going forward. They will then put the price tag up and have it on special at the original price until the new price kicks in

[@geetajoshi8372]

This practice there for years nothing new

[@Thefatcatcrochets24]

As if anything substantial will ever be done about it.

[@PlayingDownUnder]

Raise the price more. The cost of living is too easy.

[@eycYang]

it’s really funny that most of aussies didn’t know it?!how come? in asia people knows it’s been decades ago!

[@worldmedia1476]

I shop at Aldi instead. It costs $10 to buy a 1kg minced beef which would cost me $20 to buy in woolies or coles

[@coopsnz1]

No it wouldnt

[@brx8r]

Easy the fine can be covered by raising the prices a little.

[@Geronimo-fv4pv]

What’s the difference if they put the sale tag on or not? Businesses have been increasing prices on everything

[@coopsnz1]

because taxes & regulations gone up why i hate government control;

[@aaajp3]

I AM NOT ON COLES OR WOOLIES SIDE - BUIT IF YOU GO THERE NOT IN THE DAY TIME - THERE'S MOSTLY ONLY SELF SERVE - but yes - they do rip off on prices

[@farcanal873]

Saw a 250 ml four pack of Coca-Cola bottles it was $9.37 per litre

[@pajaro685]

Shop at ALDI or IGA.

[@SecretSquirrrrel]

Just shop smart. It’s pretty simple.

[@AlanBritt-s1l]

Good news bout time

[@kenlewins3368]

Gee ! That will worry coles and Woolworths 😅

[@magmabuildup]

grow a garden dig a well use solar

[@KB-eu5xi]

The woolies CEO sits on the board that decides how much the prime minister gets as a bonus…. Not suss at all…

[@davidhoward4715]

So are you a shill for Woolworths or Coles? How much are you being paid?

[@j2simpso]

that's immaterial as the PM and MPs for that matter can make however much they want independent of some committee. That's what knowledge trading is about.

[@jimbooo1365]

"What do you do, grow your own food?" Um... yes... yes you do. Been doing it for years.

[@anonmouse15]

Good idea, but this is not easy to do in a studio apartment.

[@jimbooo1365]

@@anonmouse15 not a studio apartment obviously, but you'd be surprised how little back yard you need. Not much more than a court yard for a handful of basics.

[@TheWilso2703]

They do have power..... bring in competition

[@multioptioned]

Competition to fight over a small market of only 27 million people across a huge country? How did that work out for banking, airlines etc? Where does your superannuation fund invest? Where do most people invest their money? In small, low profit businesses? 😮

[@TheWilso2703]

@multioptioned seems to have worked for other countries.. You got any ideas or just like to criticise?

[@multioptioned]

@TheWilso2703 What other similar sized countries with equivalent populations? 🤣🤣🤣 Stop making random stuff up! Competition has failed in Australia because it doesn't work economically. You know what supply and demand is? Do you want to force large companies to become small ones? That will encourage investment! I invest my superannuation and money in those large profitable businesses. Obviously your super fund does too...

[@TheWilso2703]

@multioptioned didn't say equal size country... wouldn't call it competition what our banks and airlines have... .. again criticism but no solutions.... unless you plan to wait until you get your super to eat something.... you'd have to be one of those people voting labour or liberal for the last 20 years thinking it's gunna get us somewhere ... good luck with that bud

[@Bdavk]

$5 for Tee Vee snacks .....

[@theysprey7777]

$5000 for a tv

[@DavidLockett-x4b]

I grow my own, cheap as.

[@South-aussie-girl]

Foodland