Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Jul 11th 2010, 11:22 pm
#106
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Woolworths and Coles jointly have 79 per cent of sales of branded packaged grocery products. http://www.narga.net.au/?p=10
In 1998 that figure was 66.2%, but it was only 37.3% when all food and grocery spending was taken into account. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committ...report/c04.htm
On that basis, it is feasible that the current market share for all food and grocery spending, is only about 44%. (Exact figure needs checking)
Those Supermarkets are very expensive here, no doubt about that, but that's why I personally rarely buy any fresh food from them.
Butchers and Fruit & Veg shops are generally much cheaper, and very popular among the locals.
In 1998 that figure was 66.2%, but it was only 37.3% when all food and grocery spending was taken into account. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committ...report/c04.htm
On that basis, it is feasible that the current market share for all food and grocery spending, is only about 44%. (Exact figure needs checking)
Those Supermarkets are very expensive here, no doubt about that, but that's why I personally rarely buy any fresh food from them.
Butchers and Fruit & Veg shops are generally much cheaper, and very popular among the locals.
Jul 11th 2010, 11:26 pm
#107
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Joined: Jul 2008
Location: East Bay Area
Posts: 2,192
Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
http://www.fwa.gov.au/index.cfm?page...2009wagereview
http://www.dol.gov/whd/minwage/america.htm
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/nmw/#a
At a micro level, Australia is far far better than UK and US. . . Cost of living naturally is higher.
However the +ve of say US is competition that pushes prices down and customer wins. However, US disparity of income massive - the normal curve is somewhat painful.
I remember flipping burgers, running printing press machine and the odd jobs as a student (18+ yo) and getting paid 17$+ and mind you that was 2004.
The government / economics won't function if Australia bread prices are $1 a loaf, similarly the economics won;t function in US the the bread was anywhere near the Australia prices.
Jul 11th 2010, 11:29 pm
#109
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Woolworths and Coles jointly have 79 per cent of sales of branded packaged grocery products. http://www.narga.net.au/?p=10
In 1998 that figure was 66.2%, but it was only 37.3% when all food and grocery spending was taken into account. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committ...report/c04.htm
On that basis, it is feasible that the current market share for all food and grocery spending, is only about 44%. (Exact figure needs checking)
Those Supermarkets are very expensive here, no doubt about that, but that's why I personally rarely buy any fresh food from them.
Butchers and Fruit & Veg shops are generally much cheaper, and very popular among the locals.
In 1998 that figure was 66.2%, but it was only 37.3% when all food and grocery spending was taken into account. http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committ...report/c04.htm
On that basis, it is feasible that the current market share for all food and grocery spending, is only about 44%. (Exact figure needs checking)
Those Supermarkets are very expensive here, no doubt about that, but that's why I personally rarely buy any fresh food from them.
Butchers and Fruit & Veg shops are generally much cheaper, and very popular among the locals.
Jul 11th 2010, 11:41 pm
#111
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Oh - you live out of Brisbane? That explains it 
I can tell you the cheapest (with some decent quality) bread loaf was 2$ when I was around in Sydney. Of course there could be cheaper stuff but when it comes to food - I go for average not cheapest. Surely won't spend 4$ a loaf....but not going to buy 1$ loaf. That's just me though I am sure.
I can tell you the cheapest (with some decent quality) bread loaf was 2$ when I was around in Sydney. Of course there could be cheaper stuff but when it comes to food - I go for average not cheapest. Surely won't spend 4$ a loaf....but not going to buy 1$ loaf. That's just me though I am sure.
Jul 12th 2010, 12:54 am
#112
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Oh - you live out of Brisbane? That explains it
I can tell you the cheapest (with some decent quality) bread loaf was 2$ when I was around in Sydney. Of course there could be cheaper stuff but when it comes to food - I go for average not cheapest. Surely won't spend 4$ a loaf....but not going to buy 1$ loaf. That's just me though I am sure.
I can tell you the cheapest (with some decent quality) bread loaf was 2$ when I was around in Sydney. Of course there could be cheaper stuff but when it comes to food - I go for average not cheapest. Surely won't spend 4$ a loaf....but not going to buy 1$ loaf. That's just me though I am sure.
I agree, some of the cheap bread is not good at all, but I disliked paying $3 for a supermarket loaf, and it going dryish after a day or so, so these days we buy a Tiptop make for $1.40, 1 fresh loaf every day, (takes 2 mins coming back from the school) and have daily fresh bread.
An interesting thing with prices.. In Woolworths yesterday I saw sausages for $6.00 kg, and having just bought some decent Rib Fillet steak for $8 kg, I wondered why people pay supermarket prices for sausages.
Those Woolworths ones are probably about the same quality as the $2.99 kg sausage from the butchers. I just realised though, only a few years ago those were only $1.99 kg at the butchers... prices are rising.
Jul 12th 2010, 1:08 am
#113
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Not too far out of Brisbane though
I agree, some of the cheap bread is not good at all, but I disliked paying $3 for a supermarket loaf, and it going dryish after a day or so, so these days we buy a Tiptop make for $1.40, 1 fresh loaf every day, (takes 2 mins coming back from the school) and have daily fresh bread.
An interesting thing with prices.. In Woolworths yesterday I saw sausages for $6.00 kg, and having just bought some decent Rib Fillet steak for $8 kg, I wondered why people pay supermarket prices for sausages.
Those Woolworths ones are probably about the same quality as the $2.99 kg sausage from the butchers. I just realised though, only a few years ago those were only $1.99 kg at the butchers... prices are rising.
I agree, some of the cheap bread is not good at all, but I disliked paying $3 for a supermarket loaf, and it going dryish after a day or so, so these days we buy a Tiptop make for $1.40, 1 fresh loaf every day, (takes 2 mins coming back from the school) and have daily fresh bread.
An interesting thing with prices.. In Woolworths yesterday I saw sausages for $6.00 kg, and having just bought some decent Rib Fillet steak for $8 kg, I wondered why people pay supermarket prices for sausages.
Those Woolworths ones are probably about the same quality as the $2.99 kg sausage from the butchers. I just realised though, only a few years ago those were only $1.99 kg at the butchers... prices are rising.
On the news today power prices are headed north and they just went up not long ago. Water went up ridiculous amounts not long ago. My strata, council all gone up. Flip side is, the property prices are going crazy too. That's where the economics I said, is at play....
Jul 12th 2010, 1:11 am
#114
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
If people vote with their feet, and shop where it is cheaper, then things can change, but all the time people are prepared to pay the higher prices, for the 'convenience' of shopping at those two, then nothing will change.
Jul 12th 2010, 1:37 am
#115
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Posts: 14,188
Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
An interesting thing with prices.. In Woolworths yesterday I saw sausages for $6.00 kg, and having just bought some decent Rib Fillet steak for $8 kg, I wondered why people pay supermarket prices for sausages.
Those Woolworths ones are probably about the same quality as the $2.99 kg sausage from the butchers. I just realised though, only a few years ago those were only $1.99 kg at the butchers... prices are rising.
Those Woolworths ones are probably about the same quality as the $2.99 kg sausage from the butchers. I just realised though, only a few years ago those were only $1.99 kg at the butchers... prices are rising.
Jul 12th 2010, 2:50 am
#116
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
.But remember, the distance between us two is about the same as the distance between London and Prague (Czech Republic).
However, your comment is actually a VERY important one.
There can be big differences in this country, depending on where you live.
I spent a long time finding my ideal location, but I have no doubt there are other similar areas, just as much as I am aware that there are areas that are expensive.
You will note that I only ever disagree when people say "Australia" this and that. Not when they say a more accurate location of their experiences.
For example, those in Perth who complain about the cost in Perth, I tend to agree with.
Jul 12th 2010, 2:57 am
#117
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
Different State, different country... .
But remember, the distance between us two is about the same as the distance between London and Prague (Czech Republic).
However, your comment is actually a VERY important one.
There can be big differences in this country, depending on where you live.
I spent a long time finding my ideal location, but I have no doubt there are other similar areas, just as much as I am aware that there are areas that are expensive.
You will note that I only ever disagree when people say "Australia" this and that. Not when they say a more accurate location of their experiences.
For example, those in Perth who complain about the cost in Perth, I tend to agree with.
.But remember, the distance between us two is about the same as the distance between London and Prague (Czech Republic).
However, your comment is actually a VERY important one.
There can be big differences in this country, depending on where you live.
I spent a long time finding my ideal location, but I have no doubt there are other similar areas, just as much as I am aware that there are areas that are expensive.
You will note that I only ever disagree when people say "Australia" this and that. Not when they say a more accurate location of their experiences.
For example, those in Perth who complain about the cost in Perth, I tend to agree with.
Jul 12th 2010, 3:17 am
#118
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Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
You should see our local bottle shop I am sure it will have Prague beer somewhere, it seems to have almost everything. Pity it doesn't have an online listing.
I don't drink now, but looking round there the other week was an eye opener to me. I'd take some photos for you, but i'd get embarrassed taking them
I am sure it will have Prague beer somewhere, it seems to have almost everything. Pity it doesn't have an online listing.I don't drink now, but looking round there the other week was an eye opener to me. I'd take some photos for you, but i'd get embarrassed taking them
Jul 12th 2010, 3:46 am
#119
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14,188
Re: Is Australia really THAT expensive?
You should see our local bottle shop I am sure it will have Prague beer somewhere, it seems to have almost everything. Pity it doesn't have an online listing.
I don't drink now, but looking round there the other week was an eye opener to me. I'd take some photos for you, but i'd get embarrassed taking them
I am sure it will have Prague beer somewhere, it seems to have almost everything. Pity it doesn't have an online listing.I don't drink now, but looking round there the other week was an eye opener to me. I'd take some photos for you, but i'd get embarrassed taking them
