Comparing UK to Oz Supermarkets

[bluecob99]

Reading lots of info about the supermarkets in Perth and where to buy groceries etc, I was wondering if it's possible to make a comparison between what we have in the UK and the supermarkets in Australia? For example, is a certain supermarket more like Tesco or Asda and does Perth have a Waitrose equivalent? Or all they all pretty much the same? Is it better to buy meat at the butcher and do people buy organic fruit and veg (especially considering the higher prices)? Finally, does anyone see wheat free products for sale?

Thank you for any answers!

[ChrisMich]

Hi I" ve only been here less than 2 weeks and have only shopped at IGA, Coles and Woolworths. I think (IMO) Coles and Woolworths are a bit like our Asda and Tescos. I'm loving the choice and variety of foods but not the cost lol! I havent yet found my way to the butchers or markets yet, as I've yet to find where they are. Fruit in the supermarkets appear to be expensive and I am hoping (from what I've read on other threads) that I can find something similar to a farm shop and stock up! Out of interest do they do a pick your own? Some of the farm shops back in uk had this and is was quite fin for the kids! With regards to wheat free must admit haven't noticed but it wouldn't surprise me if they do!

[phil]

Unlike the UK where there's the big four (Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrison's) in Oz the big two (Coles and Woolworth's) have it pretty much to themselves. You can probably guess what the common perception regarding competition and price-fixing is.... Indeed, they got busted for price-fixing recently so it certainly happens
Coles and Woolworth's stock pretty much the same things. I sometimes get confused as to which one I'm in.
I've yet to find a supermarket the same size as the larger ones in the UK. Not sure how best to explain the size difference, but as an observation the Morrison's near where I used to live had 30-odd checkouts but most Coles and Woolworth's I've been to here probably have around 15 tills maximum. The range of stuff available seems smaller too.
IGA's are like the Co-Op and tend to be smaller than Coles or Woolworth's but with better opening hours.
24 hour shopping/Sunday opening isn't something that's common (yet).
Coles and Woollies tend to have sections for wheat-free, low-GI etc
There's lots of independent places, and for what I guess you'd call Waitrosey type stuff there's a few nice shops around.
I'd definitely say the quality of fruit, veg and meat in the supermarkets isn't on a par with the UK - the smaller greengrocers/butchers are where to go. But as the supermarkets are usually in shopping centres that have independent greengrocers/butchers, it's not a real hassle to wheel the trolley over to there.
And I don't think I'll ever get used to supermarkets not being allowed to sell alcohol. I reckon that'll change soon.
On the plus side, I love that bags are packed for you.

[portlaunay]

I sometimes get confused as to which one I'm in.

Not just me then.

I've a friend who owns a share in a cooperative organic farm and she keeps saying she'll take me there. They do PYO so I'll post up when I've been or know more about it.

Woolies have just appointed the COO of Tesco Malaysia as their Director of Supermarkets so I guess we can expect a massive, aggressive, morally questionable and not entirely beneficial expansion soon

[CatBarry]

Hi, this is my first time posting and i am not in fact a pom, just see myself as one as I have just returned to Oz from london for the 1st time in 8years. As already stated, yes there is only 2 big supermarket chains here, I personally shop at coles as it is on the same quality path as woolies but is a tad cheaper, and the coles own brand is alot better value and better tasting.
In way of pricing well there is no comparison, I lived in central london for 8yrs and it is sooooooo much more expensive here, what I could do in london for about 60quid, takes minimum 200.00aud, absolute rip off here and for no good reason we grow all of our own produce but ship it off then buy back the crap.
I am relocating to Perth next week from the Goldcoast and am weary because I keep reading how shops are not open late hours or sundays, truthfully Perth is a tad slower than the rest of Oz, that would never happen on the east coast. And another thing worrying me, is I have heard Perth is much more expensive than it is even over here......