The capsicum paradox: new Australian supermarket pricing a ‘massive transparency fail’ for customers

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 1 min read 100% complete by Catie McLeod Consumer affairs reporterJanuary 23, 2026 at 03:00 PM
The capsicum paradox: new Australian supermarket pricing a ‘massive transparency fail’ for customers

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short article 1 min

A new analysis reveals that Australian supermarkets are increasingly pricing fresh produce "per item" rather than by weight, leading to significant price discrepancies. A Sydney-based data analyst compared the "per each" online price of 15 fruits and vegetables at Woolworths with their "per kilo" shelf price. The analysis found "completely arbitrary" price variations, with some items costing over 50% more when purchased individually. This pricing strategy is being described as a "massive transparency fail" for customers, creating "wild volatility" in the cost of fresh produce. The study highlights a potential shift in supermarket pricing practices that could impact consumer spending.

Key Entities & Roles

Keywords

supermarket pricing 90% fresh produce 80% price variations 70% price per kilogram 60% price per item 60% fruits and vegetables 50% transparency fail 50% data analysis 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Negative
Score: -0.40

Source Transparency

Source
The Guardian - World News
Political Lean
Center-Left (-0.40)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
85%
Geographic Perspective
Australia

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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