Choice sent mystery shoppers to 81 regional and urban supermarkets around Australia, including the three major chains of Woolworths, Coles, and Aldi.

The shoppers loaded up their baskets with 14 common grocery items and went through the checkout, comparing prices afterwards.

The research revealed that Aldi’s basket was about 25 per cent cheaper than baskets at Coles or Woolworths.

“Aldi was the clear leader on value for money in our first supermarket basket survey for 2024, with our basket of 14 products costing just $51.51,” Choice CEO Ashley de Silva said.

“Grocery prices at Coles and Woolworths are very closely matched, with only 75 cents separating the prices of our basket of 14 items without specials.

“Coles was the most expensive at $69.33, while the basket at Woolworths came in at $68.58.”

Choice also found that location made a difference.

“When we looked at the average cost of our supermarket baskets in each state we found that if you live in Tasmania or the Northern Territory, you’re paying significantly more each week for your groceries,” de Silva said.

“However, this is mainly due to the fact that these areas have more limited options for shopping than the rest of the country, with no Aldi in Tassie or the NT.

“Outside of the Northern Territory and Tasmania, Western Australians are paying the most on average for their groceries – around a dollar more for this basket of items than people in other parts of the country pay.”

Meanwhile, as the cost of living crunch continues, Choice found that trust in supermarkets had also plummeted in the past 12 months.

About 39 per cent of responders said they did not trust supermarkets to provide the best products and services for customer needs.

Choice has been provided federal government funding for supermarket price research for every quarter for the next three years.

“This kind of transparency is more important than ever as the cost of living crisis continues, and prices of basic grocery items climb,” de Silva said.

The grocery basket at all outlets was filled with 14 items, 12 of which were packaged products, either national brand or comparable supermarket brand/budget brand options (including beef mince and milk), with two fresh fruit and vegetable items (apples and carrots) completing the list: