Unit Pricing Archives - Page 2 of 8 - Consumers' Federation of Australia

16 February , 2024

Results of UK Research on Grocery Unit Pricing Released

The results of recent research on grocery unit pricing (pricing per standardised unit of measurement) in the United Kingdom have been released by Competition and Markets Authority. The research involved: The Queensland Consumers Association says that many of the results are very relevant to grocery unit pricing in Australia including that: The CMA’s conclusions from…

12 February , 2024

Consumer Price Transparency and Product Information to be Improved in UK

Following public consultation on ways to improve price transparency and information about products for consumers, the UK government has announced that it will make several changes.

8 February , 2024

Supermarkets, airlines and power companies are charging ‘exploitative’ prices despite reaping record profits

A lack of transparent pricing information caused a poor understanding by consumers of how prices were set. This was significantly worsened by a lack of competition. While market concentration was a major issue, the inquiry found prices in Australia are way higher than in many other less competitive markets.

Large price increases occurred across many sectors.

19 December , 2023

Submissions Open for Senate Inquiry into Supermarket Prices

The Senate has established a Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, to inquire into and report on the price setting practices and market power of major supermarkets.

The committee is seeking submissions that address the terms of reference by Friday, 2 February 2024 and the committee’s final report is due by 7 May 2024.

18 December , 2023

UK Government Considering Reforms to Improve Unit Pricing

As a result the UK government included possible unit pricing reforms in a consultation document “Smarter Regulation: Consultation on Improving Price Transparency and Product Information for Consumers” released in September (available here) and is now considering stakeholder responses.

18 September , 2023

Call for Supermarkets to Help Shoppers Spot Package “shrinkflation”

QCA spokesperson, Ian Jarratt says manufacturers use shrinkflation to make “sneaky” price increases and improve or maintain their margins because most shoppers are more aware of, and sensitive to, higher selling prices than reductions in the amount in packages.

12 September , 2023

Global Update on Unit Pricing

The latest edition of the Queensland Consumers Association’s (QCA) newsletter Unit Pricing Global Update (found here) contains information about unit pricing in several countries including in: QCA spokesperson, Ian Jarratt says that in Canada the Competition Bureau and the parliamentary committee’s recommendations on grocery unit pricing are important not only for consumers in Canada (where…

15 August , 2023

Submission to House of Representatives Inquiry calls for improvements to grocery unit pricing

The Queensland Consumers Association’s submission (#56) to a House of Representatives Inquiry says changes are needed to the grocery unit pricing (pricing per unit of measure) system to make it much easier for consumers to compare grocery prices and values.

The submission also strongly supports the Consumers Federation of Australia’s submission to the inquiry which includes support for demand-side initiatives to promote competition and recommendations on unit pricing.

10 August , 2023

New Zealand Starts to Implement Mandatory Grocery Unit Pricing

New Zealand has passed Regulations that require many instore and online grocery retailers to provide the unit price (price per standard unit of measure) for most products sold.

However, for instore retailers the Regulations will only come fully into force in August 2024 and for online retailers in August 2025.

2 August , 2023

Regulator acts to improve grocery unit pricing in the UK

“To assist consumers with the cost of living crisis and the high rate of grocery price inflation, the ACCC and the Federal Government should follow the UK’s example and take action now to substantially improved the quality of the unit pricing provided by Australian grocery retailers and to improve the Grocery Unit Pricing Code administered by the ACCC.”

19 February , 2023

Urgent action needed to help grocery shoppers save money

The Queensland Consumers Association (QCA) wants action now from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the Albanese government to make it much easier for consumers to manage the cost of living and grocery price inflation crises by getting better value when shopping for groceries. QCA’s spokesperson, Ian Jarratt, says the results of a…

16 February , 2023

New data reveals 44% of Australian shoppers surveyed are using unit pricing to reduce grocery spending

CHOICE shares tips to combat rising grocery bills with unit pricing New data from CHOICE has found 44% of Australian shoppers surveyed are using unit pricing to reduce their grocery spending amidst the rise in cost of living. “With cost of living prices continuing to rise, everyone is on the lookout for ways to save…