Three Years On, Have Supermarket Prices Gone Up Again

Each year for the last three years at Mr Home Budget, we have been tracking 66 products from our local Coles supermarket, BWS bottle shop and Shell service station. These are everyday products which we buy every year in the same month. Then we work out how much they have gone up from one year to the next.

From a starting point of $308.68 in 2009 the prices rose 2.11%, one year later in 2010. The price in 2010 was $315.19. But from 2010 to this year they have gone up 5.82%. Now they cost $334.39.

Since mid 2009 over the last two years they have risen by an average of 4.08%.  

We track these items very closely and tightly. For example when we first started in 2009, Cottee’s cordial was sold in 2 litre bottles. However they are now sold in one litre bottles; and it is a more concentrated mix. Meaning it makes up the same amount of 2 bottles. So we have worked backwards to make sure our prices are true and accurate.

Also if a brand has discontinued a size (for example the 3 litre bottle of milk). We purchase the closest one to a 3 litre bottle and work out how much it would be to fill up the 3 litre bottle with the new size. We are very hard nosed about making sure the figures are 100% accurate.

But why do we do this you might ask? Many people forget about inflation affecting their purchasing power. As you would know, prices go up each and every year and you would get a pay rise to cover these price increases.

However, what about if prices go up by 3% and your pay only goes up by 2%. Now this is a problem. Because while you are earning more, in reality your purchasing power has gone down! This is a great guide to see if your latest pay rise is above what supermarkets are increasing their costs by. Or is it below it?

If you would like to see last year’s article click here.

Here are all our products and what ones have gone up or down since last year.

Coca Cola 24 Pack
Last year’s price $20, this year $26.45
an increase of $6.45

Choice Beef Mince (4 Star) 0.574 grams
Last year’s price $5.74, this year $6.89
an increase of $1.15

Beef Scotch Fillet Steak 0.298 grams
Last year’s price $8.94, this year $7.75
a saving of $1.19

Nestle Milo 750 grams
Last year’s price $9.57, this year $10.05
an increase of $0.48

Ski Yogurt Wild Strawberry 200 grams x 2
Last year’s price $2.69, this year $2.69
no change

Arnott’s Jatz Crackers 250 grams
Last year’s price $2.89, this year $2.89
no change

Maggi Extra Delicious 2 minute noodles
Last year’s price $0.96, this year $0.97
an increase of $0.01

Holbrook’s Worcestershire Sauce 150ml
Last year’s price $1.54, this year $1.37
a saving of $0.17

Heinz Ketchup Upsidedown 500ml
Last year’s price $2.79, this year $2.79
no change

Cadbury Block of Chocolate 200 grams
Last year’s price $4.29, this year $4.29
no change

Smiths Twisties 90 grams
Last year’s price $1.56, this year $1.56
no change

Farmers Union Iced Coffee 600ml
Last year’s price $2.95, this year $2.95
no change

Mars Bar Chocolate 53 grams
Last year’s price $1.69, this year $1.62
a saving of $0.07

Bananas 1.277kg net
Last year’s price $3.42, this year $17.85
an increase of $14.43

McCain’s Pizza 500 grams
Last year’s price $6.29, this year $6.29
no change

Dairy Farmers 2 Litre Milk
Last year’s price $3.45, this year $2.98
a saving of $0.47

The Advertiser Newspaper
Last year’s price $1.80, this year $1.75
a saving of $0.05

Mount Franklin Chilled Water 1.5 Litre
Last year’s price $4.12, this year $2.59
a saving of $1.53

Strawberries 250 grams
Last year’s price $3.88, this year $4.98
an increase of $1.10

Meadow Lea Margarine 500 grams
Last year’s price $3.49, this year $3.00
a saving of $0.49

Bega Tasty Cheese 750 grams
Last year’s price $9.99, this year $10.59
an increase of $0.60

Uncle Tobys Le Snack 132 grams
Last year’s price $4.49, this year $4.49
no change

Colgate Toothpaste Jumbo 174 grams
Last year’s price $2.97, this year price $2.97
no change

Mars M and M’s
Last year’s price $3.75, this year $4.74
an increase of $0.99

SPC Baked Beans Regular 425 grams
Last year’s price $1.00, this year $1.63
an increase of $0.63

Kraft Vegemite 220 grams
Last year’s price $3.76, this year $3.76
no change

Tip Top Sunblest Bread 650 grams
Last year’s price $3.79, this year $3.29
a saving of $0.50

Spray and Wipe Trigger Pack 750mls
Last year’s price $5.92, this year $4.48
a saving of $1.44

Cadbury Frozen Ice Cream 2 Litres
Last year’s price $6.79, this year $6.99
an increase of $0.20

Heinz Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce 820 grams
Last year’s price $2.59, this year $2.59
no change

Rexona Deodorant 150 grams
Last year’s price $6.29, this year $6.62
an increase of $0.33

White Wings Plain Flour 2 Kilos
Last year’s price $3.73, this year $4.00
an increase of $0.27

CSR Sugar 2 Kilos
Last year’s price $3.49, this year $2.50
a saving of $0.99

VB Stubbies 24 x 375ml
Last year’s price $45, this year $47
an increase of $2.00

Kelloggs Cereal Rice Bubbles 490 grams
Last year’s price $5.09, this year $5.09
no change

Maggi Super Noodles 68 grams
Last year’s price $1.00, this year $1.92
an increase of $0.92

Lipton Black Tea Bags 100 pack
Last year’s price $3.65, this year $3.61
a saving of $0.04

Cottee’s Cordial Raspberry 2 Litre
Last year’s price $4.04, this year $4.32
an increase of $0.28

San Remo Spaghetti Thick 500 grams
Last year’s price $2.25, this year $2.25
no change

Glad Plastic Wrap 30 metres x 33cm
Last year’s price $2.89, this year $2.89
no change

Kraft Parmesan Cheese 250 grams
Last year’s price $6.49, this year $6.46
a saving of $0.03

Trix Dishwashing Liquid 1 Litre
Last year’s price $2.15, this year $1.79
a saving of $0.36

Purex Toilet Rolls 9 pack
Last year’s price $5.19, this year $3.33
a saving of $1.86

Daily Juice Apple 2 Litres
Last year’s price $4.99, this year $4.00
a saving of $0.99

Schick Quattro Titan Razor Blades Freestyle 6 Cartridges
Last year’s price $19.99, this year $19.99
no change

Listerine Mouthwash 1 Litre
Last year’s price $9.89, this year $8.50
a saving of $1.39

Panadol Tablets 24 pack
Last year’s price $2.00, this year $2.99
an increase of $0.99

Arnott’s Monte Carlo 250 grams
Last year’s price $2.39, this year $2.39
no change

Mitani Chicken Salt 100 grams
Last year’s price $2.05, this year $2.05
no change

Vili’s Pasty 150 grams
Last year’s price $2.69, this year $2.00
a saving of $0.69

Arnott’s Barbeque Shapes 200 grams
Last year’s price $2.00, this year $2.60
an increase of $0.60

Cottee’s Topping Thick and Rich Chocolate 615 grams
Last year’s price $3.45, this year $3.45
no change

Kirk’s Drink Snow Top 1.25 Litre
Last year’s price $1.52, this year $1.62
an increase of $0.10

International Roast Instant Coffee 250 grams
Last year’s price $7.95, this year $7.95
no change

Prepacked Carrots 1kg
Last year’s price $1.89, this year $1.50
a saving of $0.39

Chicken Breast Fillet 2 pack skin off 0.378 grams
Last year’s price $5.29, this year $5.29
no change

Pork Loin Steak 0.240 grams
Last year’s price $5.04, this year $4.32
a saving of $0.72

Nobby’s Salted Peanuts 375 grams
Last year’s price $2.95, this year $3.34
an increase of $0.39

Three Threes Australian Pickled Onions 520 grams
Last year’s price $2.42, this year $2.86
an increase of $0.44

Sirena Italian Tuna in Oil 95 grams
Last year’s price $2.24, this year $2.24
no change

Ardmona Chopped Tomatoes 400 grams
Last year’s price $1.63, this year $1.52
a saving of $0.11

Edgell Corn Kernels 420 grams
Last year’s price $1.62, this year $1.64
an increase of $0.02.

McCain’s Peas 500 grams
Last year’s price $2.18, this year $2.18
no change

Unleaded petrol 1 litre
Last year’s price $1.33, this year $1.44
an increase of $0.11

Diesel 1 Litre
Last year’s price $1.29, this year $1.14
a saving of $0.15

Gas 1 Litre
Last year’s price $0.58, this year $0.62
an increase of $0.04

So the big question is, “Have your wages gone up an average of 4.08%?” Your wages would have had to go up twice in this period by this average. That is just to keep up with these tracked products.

Now of course we only track 66 products. And there are thousands of products out there, so this is only a very limited survey. However, it does give you a good idea as to which way prices as a whole are moving.