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.
Subscribe to the Four Corners weekly newsletter here: www.abc.net.au/news/subscribe
#4Corners #ABCNewsIndepth #ABCNewsAustralia
Note: In most cases, our captions are auto-generated.

Пікірлер: 382

  • @stephendownes6331
    @stephendownes63313 ай бұрын

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

  • @billylyf6995
    @billylyf69953 ай бұрын

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

  • @markbeale7390

    @markbeale7390

    3 ай бұрын

    Coles woollies servo ?

  • @grooviechickie
    @grooviechickie3 ай бұрын

    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. 😢

  • @SundayzCrows33
    @SundayzCrows333 ай бұрын

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

  • @7thNoteOfficial

    @7thNoteOfficial

    3 ай бұрын

    Facts

  • @PANN1Cau
    @PANN1Cau3 ай бұрын

    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
    @AGIBOY8273 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @barbecueman6352
    @barbecueman63523 ай бұрын

    Fantastic! Now do the housing market/property developers

  • @cannabiss9433
    @cannabiss94333 ай бұрын

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

  • @esrynshudder4216
    @esrynshudder42163 ай бұрын

    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
    @cameronmale833 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @jdview5062
    @jdview50623 ай бұрын

    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

    @shabberto

    3 ай бұрын

    Yeah those two were next level.

  • @nitramfox2511
    @nitramfox25113 ай бұрын

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

  • @Mikeeey01NZL
    @Mikeeey01NZL3 ай бұрын

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

  • @AviationSports1978
    @AviationSports19783 ай бұрын

    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
    @MrMazRx3 ай бұрын

    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

    @7thNoteOfficial

    3 ай бұрын

    😂

  • @johnnyb1368
    @johnnyb13683 ай бұрын

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

  • @tude17

    @tude17

    3 ай бұрын

    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

    @Joseph-vf5yq

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @anthonyplaysbass

    @anthonyplaysbass

    3 ай бұрын

    ​@@tude17 IGA prices are still obscene

  • @GetSwifty

    @GetSwifty

    3 ай бұрын

    @@tude17 Not everyone has that option.

  • @johnwely
    @johnwely3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @robberlin2230
    @robberlin22303 ай бұрын

    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...

  • @fiuonio
    @fiuonio3 ай бұрын

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

  • @bernadettemarietavendale7055
    @bernadettemarietavendale70553 ай бұрын

    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

  • @sundance9042
    @sundance90423 ай бұрын

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

  • @noodles5004
    @noodles50043 ай бұрын

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

  • @maladjustedtv
    @maladjustedtv3 ай бұрын

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

  • @terroraustralia

    @terroraustralia

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @debrasmith915

    @debrasmith915

    3 ай бұрын

    I'm gonna start doing that😅

  • @Misslastcentury

    @Misslastcentury

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @kkohs4410

    @kkohs4410

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @nadinewhittome9140
    @nadinewhittome91403 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @stephendownes6331
    @stephendownes63313 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @gaylebyrne5839
    @gaylebyrne58393 ай бұрын

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

  • @azron201
    @azron2013 ай бұрын

    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

  • @ebb8870
    @ebb88703 ай бұрын

    Everything goes up but my wage...

  • @faafaoaholima5176
    @faafaoaholima51763 ай бұрын

    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
    @scottnickels61363 ай бұрын

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

  • @rogersliu1200
    @rogersliu12003 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @zemlya378
    @zemlya3783 ай бұрын

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

  • @suz1453
    @suz14533 ай бұрын

    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!

  • @Reindeer_jay
    @Reindeer_jay3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @oonie99
    @oonie993 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @shabberto
    @shabberto3 ай бұрын

    This is an epic episode from Four Corners well done

  • @Pinpadprompts
    @Pinpadprompts3 ай бұрын

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

  • @TomDoesTech
    @TomDoesTech3 ай бұрын

    Australia needs a Co-op

  • @nabiji
    @nabiji3 ай бұрын

    Stop shopping at Colesworth. Vote with your feet.

  • @iloveyoursweaterrrr
    @iloveyoursweaterrrr3 ай бұрын

    We need to be out protesting this

  • @KiwiinAustralia
    @KiwiinAustralia3 ай бұрын

    Arrogant greedy corporations.

  • @bradleystevo5034
    @bradleystevo50343 ай бұрын

    I feel sad for that cherry farmer

  • @ooialb8616

    @ooialb8616

    3 ай бұрын

    and those cherry trees!!!!

  • @shondra6

    @shondra6

    3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @biggysmalls8239
    @biggysmalls82393 ай бұрын

    Finally some great journalism!! Well done !!👍

  • @wbadventures2024
    @wbadventures20243 ай бұрын

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

  • @jimity7530
    @jimity75303 ай бұрын

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

  • @mjmjmj50
    @mjmjmj503 ай бұрын

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

  • @SunStar-ch2jz
    @SunStar-ch2jz3 ай бұрын

    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’ 🎉

  • @jasmine-amelias
    @jasmine-amelias3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @warrenmischke1646
    @warrenmischke16463 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @redlillium1
    @redlillium13 ай бұрын

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

  • @DeadDancers
    @DeadDancers3 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @raceace
    @raceace3 ай бұрын

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

  • @crueltyfreecolorist1025
    @crueltyfreecolorist10253 ай бұрын

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

  • @lisadolan689
    @lisadolan6893 ай бұрын

    I actively AVOID both

  • @teresanicholson6241
    @teresanicholson62413 ай бұрын

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

  • @KB-gq7ou
    @KB-gq7ou3 ай бұрын

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

  • @simonhill4021
    @simonhill40213 ай бұрын

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

  • @marsellem6175
    @marsellem61753 ай бұрын

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

  • @tonycostanzo4276
    @tonycostanzo42763 ай бұрын

    Bring back the small business

  • @lac19951
    @lac199513 ай бұрын

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

  • @kkohs4410

    @kkohs4410

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @queenofthebutterflies5212
    @queenofthebutterflies52123 ай бұрын

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

  • @froggy0162
    @froggy01623 ай бұрын

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

  • @ricktasker4520
    @ricktasker45203 ай бұрын

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

  • @pomelotree2
    @pomelotree23 ай бұрын

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

  • @RachelJayne92

    @RachelJayne92

    3 ай бұрын

    ..and go where?

  • @trudyfox938
    @trudyfox9383 ай бұрын

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

  • @juanitarichards1074
    @juanitarichards10743 ай бұрын

    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

    @silvernoob1603

    3 ай бұрын

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

  • @ah-chakhan682
    @ah-chakhan6823 ай бұрын

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

  • @love-garden279
    @love-garden2793 ай бұрын

    cause they're greedy

  • @KingiKuki
    @KingiKuki3 ай бұрын

    Woolworths and Foodstuffs are doing exactly the same in NZ

  • @dennismckee1979
    @dennismckee19793 ай бұрын

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

  • @mariyamubashir8818
    @mariyamubashir88183 ай бұрын

    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 👍🏻

  • @JAK3ELEFANTSAMUEL
    @JAK3ELEFANTSAMUEL3 ай бұрын

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

  • @impermanent-being
    @impermanent-being3 ай бұрын

    I miss Franklins and Bi-Lo.

  • @xdef1ne
    @xdef1ne3 ай бұрын

    One 15 minute break every 5hr shift should be illegal

  • @7thNoteOfficial

    @7thNoteOfficial

    3 ай бұрын

    Try 7 min break 😐

  • @lindisfarnedruidakaganjawa5081
    @lindisfarnedruidakaganjawa50813 ай бұрын

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

  • @_akira_akira_
    @_akira_akira_3 ай бұрын

    That was a compelling watch! Thanks Four Corners!

  • @OhhFuckYeh
    @OhhFuckYeh3 ай бұрын

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

  • @niffumau
    @niffumau3 ай бұрын

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

  • @sjj7236
    @sjj72363 ай бұрын

    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.

  • @hamishmunro8610
    @hamishmunro86103 ай бұрын

    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
    @johnstath96663 ай бұрын

    Finally and bravo ABC.

  • @miam1074
    @miam10743 ай бұрын

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

  • @invader893invade6
    @invader893invade63 ай бұрын

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

  • @yellowpete79

    @yellowpete79

    3 ай бұрын

    All governments for decades. Be honest.

  • @azzajohnson2123
    @azzajohnson21233 ай бұрын

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

  • @ShadowAussie

    @ShadowAussie

    3 ай бұрын

    The big gulp after she said no maybe?? lol

  • @Kni0002
    @Kni00023 ай бұрын

    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...

  • @luminabliss
    @luminabliss3 ай бұрын

    Great journalism! This was such a compelling watch.

  • @TabletsAndTemples
    @TabletsAndTemples3 ай бұрын

    Chilled neck ties?! 😔

  • @Sacrederb
    @Sacrederb3 ай бұрын

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

  • @gavinlagrange6322
    @gavinlagrange63223 ай бұрын

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

  • @mamoandrew
    @mamoandrew3 ай бұрын

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

  • @antpoo
    @antpoo3 ай бұрын

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

  • @yaboiyoshio8622
    @yaboiyoshio86223 ай бұрын

    I hope this is seen by every Australian

  • @Almighty_Tubsta
    @Almighty_Tubsta3 ай бұрын

    i dont shop at either anymore unless no alternatives

  • @fckuyo3918
    @fckuyo39183 ай бұрын

    We doing petrol companies next? (hahaha)

  • @MatthewNoPants1atoll
    @MatthewNoPants1atoll3 ай бұрын

    My local IGA has rump for $14 a kilo. Shop around people.

  • @lisadolan689

    @lisadolan689

    3 ай бұрын

    I’m up in Caitns and our IGA aldi has it at that price

  • @Evo9000
    @Evo90003 ай бұрын

    I feel for the farmers not long before there all gorn and Coles and woolworths run there own farms

  • @gabrielbattika
    @gabrielbattika3 ай бұрын

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

  • @xymaryai8283
    @xymaryai82833 ай бұрын

    A CHILLED NECKTIE. UHUH. HOW ABOUT AN AIRCON?

  • @alexnikolov
    @alexnikolov3 ай бұрын

    About time Four Corners got into something important

  • @Wilson.Kongnetto
    @Wilson.Kongnetto3 ай бұрын

    "Retired, by the way 💅" 28:20

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