Grocery Store Price Wars - Canada versus Australia Part 1

So is it really that expensive Down Under? Let's put it to an informal test by taking a trip to the grocery store. We'll take a peek at how the prices of common grocery store items in Australia compare with those in Canada.



Note: Pictures were taken at middle-of-the-range supermarkets on random days (i.e., not specifically on days when special promotions were on). All prices are in Canadian dollars (converted at the time of writing).

ROUND 1

CANADA: 1.26/kg for imported bananas / AUSTRALIA: $1.89/kg for local bananas

1-0 for Canada - bananas are perpetually expensive in Australia.

ROUND 2

CANADA: $3/12 pk of store brand toilet paper / AUSTRALIA: $3.62/12 pk

1-1 - Going to have to give it to Australia this time. Aussie TP may appear more expensive but each roll has 120 more sheets!

ROUND 3

CANADA: $3.19/baguette / AUSTRALIA: $3.15/baguette

A point for each country gets us to 2-2. 

ROUND 4

CANADA: $2.29/L / AUSTRALIA: $2.72/L

54mL more but $0.43 more expensive (ignoring the sale price) in Australia keeps things even at 3.

ROUND 5 

CANADA: $4.99/12pk / AUSTRALIA: $6.07/12pk

 4-3 - Canada gets a solid edge on this one.

 ROUND 6

CANADA: $0.99/12pk / AUSTRALIA: $1.91/12pk

5-3 - It's a comparison of different types of gum but the price is still quite strongly in Canada's favour.

And the final round of Part 1.

ROUND 7

CANADA: $4.49/pk / AUSTRALIA: $2.23/pk

Yes, you can purchase Tim Tams in Canada and you do, even at exorbitant prices. No doubt who wins this round.

At the end of Part 1, Canada leads 5-4. Stay tuned for Part 2 where I compare the price of coffee, shampoo, and other so-called essential items.

~S~