Pain at checkout as prices soar 7pc

NEW research has revealed Australian shoppers are paying almost 7 per cent more at Coles and Woolworths for some of their favourite foods and products.

Data collected by grocery comparison app Frugl Grocery found grocery price inflation rose a record 6.75 per cent over the past year.

This included a 1.05 per cent increase during the last financial quarter, with the hikes impacting several cornerstones of the Australian household.

Red meat eaters are paying significantly more for beef after it rose by 14.60 per cent over the past year.

Other items that went through major annual inflation increases included fruit and vegetables (12.97 per cent), household and cleaning products (13.67 per cent) and pantry supplies (13.17 per cent).

The average total cost of shopping varied minimally across states and jurisdictions, except for the Northern Territory, where prices were slightly higher.

Single professionals (9.25 per cent), university students (8.11 per cent) and retirees (8.09 per cent) were the people most affected by the price changes over the past year, based on products tailored to those demographic groups.

Prices appeared to stabilise to some degree in the June financial quarter after an “unrepresented” 4.40 per cent inflation rise in March.

Frugl chief executive and managing director Sean Smith had bad news for shoppers hoping for some relief, with the price pain set to continue.

“Grocery prices have actually held relatively steady compared to the previous quarter,” Mr Smith said.

“However, prices are still historically high compared to this time last year and suppliers are forewarning that they will be increasing their prices, so retailers will have no choice but to pass these on to consumers later in the year.

“Households are now looking down the barrel of a potential recession and numerous other economic challenges, which may require substantial changes to their shopping and consumption habits.”