Consumers kept in dark by Coles’ refusal to go online
- August 27, 2010
- Josette Dunn
Consumer group CHOICE has described Coles’ decision not to publish its in-store prices online as a major disappointment and has called on the supermarket chain to reconsider.
Coles’ announcement means Australian shoppers will not be able to use the internet to compare the cost of shopping at the nation’s two major supermarkets, as is possible for airfares,
“We at least expected Coles might try to put some of its prices online as ALDI does and Woolworths has started doing,” says CHOICE spokesman Christopher Zinn.
“Following the previous government’s backflip on the Grocery CHOICE price comparison website, the supermarkets and Minister Emerson promised to develop an industry solution.
“Coles’ decision makes clear this approach has failed.
“Shoppers will only get information about the prices that Coles wants them to have, such as in brochures and paid advertisements. In practice, it is impossible for shoppers to find out the price of a basket of goods before they hit the checkout. The major supermarkets claim to be introducing state-wide pricing on dry goods, they clearly have the technology and web presence to make pricing information available
and they have spent millions on advertising claiming that prices are coming down across their stores.
“Denying consumers useful price information reflects either a failure of will or a desire to soften competition. Supermarket competition remains a major concern for consumers and real pricing transparency would improve the situation markedly,” said Mr Zinn.
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When we finally sort out who is governing Australia in a minority fashion we need to make sure the “independents” take this matter on as urgent. We all must e-mail them to make sure Coles come to the table on this matter and put their prices on line and that Woolworths and Aldi are forced to follow suit. The Government should make this mandatory for the “big3″ as competition really does not exist at present.
Liquor and Pharmacuticals pricing should be included as these commodities are also controlled by too few retailers and the situation is getting worse daily!