What the prices actually show.
All Pinch articles and data tools. Illusory discounts, hi-lo pricing cycles, ALDI comparisons, the Pinch Index, and coverage of Australia's grocery market reforms.
Price Watch
Data-driven pricing analysis. Built on 52 weeks of history across 74,000+ products.
230 "specials" that cost more than the old price.
We tracked 76,000+ products for 112 weeks. These ones are on "special" right now at prices higher than what you were paying months ago.
2,308 products where the "sale" price is the new normal.
Even at the lowest point in the cycle, these products are 15%+ more expensive than they used to be.
What 10 Aussie staples actually cost right now.
Milk, bread, eggs, chicken, cheese, and 5 more staples priced at ALDI, Coles, Woolworths, and Harris Farm. No specials, no loyalty cards.
Same price, less product. It's not your imagination.
Dozens of major brands have quietly reduced pack sizes by 5-20% while the shelf price stayed the same. Here are the documented examples.
Coles vs Woolworths own brand: which saves you more?
Own brands now make up 36% of Australian grocery sales. We compared pricing across both chains.
ACCC grocery enforcement: what to expect from July.
How the ACCC will enforce the new pricing rules, what precedent cases might look like, and what enforcement cannot touch.
Tracking grocery prices before and after the ban.
Using 52 weeks of price history to measure whether the price gouging ban makes a difference at the shelf.
Which products are most likely to drop after July?
Categories where the ACCC found margin growth outpacing costs. These are the ones to watch.
Why beef prices are up 13.5%.
Queensland floods killed 148,000 cattle. Beef inflation is running at 13.5% YoY. How long prices will stay high.
Fresh produce prices: what to expect at the checkout.
Which fruit and veg will spike in 2026-2027, seasonal buying calendar, and import dependency risks.
The protein premium: what high protein actually costs you.
How "high protein" labels drive markups of 40-100%. The real cost-per-gram compared to whole foods.
Cheapest protein per gram at Australian supermarkets.
Ranked list of protein sources by cost-per-gram. From eggs at $0.23/10g to eye fillet at $3.00/10g.
Protein yoghurt showdown: which is actually worth it?
YoPRO vs Chobani vs own brand: price-per-gram-of-protein comparison. The branded premium adds up fast.
The healthy eating cost gap: why eating well costs more.
Recommended diets cost 30-37% more than habitual diets. The real numbers and realistic budget strategies.
Smart Shopping
Live comparison tools that answer real shopping questions.
Is ALDI actually cheaper? Depends which number you read.
We priced 10 staples twice: by sticker price and by unit price. The story changes completely.
What 10 family dinners actually cost this week.
The Pinch Index prices the same meals at Coles, Woolies, ALDI and Harris Farm every week.
$100 dinner plan: 10 family meals priced at every supermarket.
Can you feed a family of 4 for $100 a week on dinners alone? We priced 10 simple meals at Coles, Woolies, and ALDI.
17 CHOICE basket staples priced at every store.
The same products CHOICE surveys, priced by Pinch at all four retailers. Full matrix with sizes.
The one number that changes everything at the supermarket.
Unit pricing shows the real cost per kg or per litre. The bigger pack is not always cheaper. Here's how to read it.
Are premium own brands actually worth the price?
Coles Finest grew 20.4% in FY24. But do premium own brands deliver value or just a nicer label?
How much you save switching to own brand groceries.
Switching branded to own brand can save 20-35% on your weekly shop. Category-by-category breakdown.
Best own brand products at Australian supermarkets.
Which own brand products match or beat the name brand? The ones worth switching and the ones to skip.
Phantom brands: how to spot disguised own brand products.
Some supermarket products look independent but are retailer-owned. How to identify them and what it means for your budget.
Climate-proof your grocery shop.
Seasonal buying, strategic freezing, and pantry resilience. How to protect your budget from weather-driven price spikes.
Cheapest protein when meat prices spike.
Cost-per-gram comparison of beef, chicken, eggs, lentils, tinned fish, and nuts. Practical swaps that save $438-1,444/year.
One in five households skipping meals: strategies that help.
Food banks, community resources, government support, and budget strategies for families experiencing food insecurity.
Protein marketing vs reality: what the label does not tell you.
How to decode protein claims, check cost-per-gram, and avoid paying premiums for marketing.
What counts as ultra-processed? A supermarket guide.
NOVA classification explained with real Australian supermarket examples. 42% of our dietary energy comes from UPF.
10 whole food swaps that actually save money.
Not all healthy swaps cost more. These 10 whole food alternatives are cheaper than their processed equivalents.
How to read ingredient lists: spotting ultra-processed foods.
Red-flag ingredients, quick decision rules, and practical label reading for the supermarket aisle.
What's Happening
Timely commentary on grocery news and regulation, tied back to data.
Australia's price gouging ban: what actually changes on July 1.
From July 1, 2026, it's illegal for Coles and Woolworths to charge excessively above cost of supply. Here's what it covers and what it doesn't.
Ms Weckert's algorithm doesn't lie. That's Coles' problem.
The Coles CEO predicts agents will handle 30% of online grocery orders by 2030. Agents have perfect price memory. The duopoly playbook depends on you not having that.
The Mandatory Grocery Code is live. Here's what it actually does.
The Mandatory Food and Grocery Code took effect 1 April 2025. It protects suppliers, not consumers. Here's the difference.
What changes for your grocery bill on July 1.
The excessive pricing ban takes effect July 1, 2026. What shoppers will and will not notice at the checkout.
What counts as excessive pricing? The test explained.
The legal test for excessive pricing is deliberately vague. What "cost of supply plus reasonable margin" actually means.
How GLP-1 drugs are changing Australian grocery aisles.
The Ozempic effect is reshaping demand for protein, smaller portions, and nutrient-dense foods.
Mandatory health star ratings: what changes for shoppers.
Health Star Ratings may become mandatory. What they measure, their limitations, and the NOVA debate.