A recent survey conducted by Finder, involving over 1,000 participants, has revealed that a substantial 79% of Australians feel they are being overcharged by major supermarket chains.
Sarah Megginson, a personal finance expert at Finder, highlighted the growing mistrust consumers have towards these retailers.
“A large portion of Australians feels they are not getting value for their money when purchasing groceries,” Megginson explained.
She added, “When people hear about supermarkets raking in profits in the hundreds of millions or even billions, while they themselves are forced to cut back on essentials due to rising prices—like paying $7 for a tub of butter—it fosters a belief that something is amiss.”
“This represents a significant level of distrust towards what is a vital service utilized by households several times each week.”
In April 2026, data showed that the average Australian household was spending $207 weekly on groceries, up from $189 in April 2024.
Parents spent more on groceries per week, coming in at $274 compared to $171 for households without children. 
Up to 39 per cent of Australians listed groceries as one of their most stressful expenses in April, followed by rent and mortgage repayments, petrol and energy bills.
Megginson added that there are ways families can save at the checkout.
“You can’t control supermarket pricing, but you can control where and how you shop,” she explained.
“Comparing unit prices can be a gamechanger.”
“This means comparing the same size of two products, 100g vs 100g, so you can choose the best value.
“Switching between retailers, buying home brands, shopping the half-price specials strategically and buying in bulk can make a meaningful difference over the course of a year too.”
NEVER MISS A STORY: Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.
