I agree. None or very substandard, non-compliant provision is a major problem in smaller supermarkets in rural areas, and also in urban areas. Furthermore, the negative effects of this on rural consumers are much greater because, as you rightly note, it is often very difficult for rural consumers to get to a supermarket that does provide UP or where it is easier to use.
The Consumers Federation of Australia (CFA) made a complaint to the ACCC a few weeks ago about non-compliant UP provided in several independent smaller supermarkets in a few rural towns⊠CFA has not yet had a response from the ACCC.
The Code requires grocery retailers that voluntarily provide unit pricing (e.g. if they have a floor area of less than 1000sq m) to comply with the UP Code. However, there is nothing to stop them deciding to not comply and just stop providing any UP covered by the Code (i.e.for products in constant measure packages). This is one reason why I think the threshold minimum floor area should be substantially reduced.
Also happens with number of plies or weight of paper or even the type of fibres used (fitness for purpose eg strength, softness etc, vs raw material cost). Something the Choice product reviews of paper based products such as tissues, paper towel and toilet paper try to objectively compare. No need to rely on unit cost alone, although for two products one finds work the same or are equal, best to have a UP than none.
Yes, I have notice one or two manufacturers now having half sized sheets (ICare Wipex âPick a Sizeâ is an example).
It is something to watch for when using unit pricing. The same can apply to tissues and toilet paper (which can be of different sizes).
In relation to the ICare product with smaller paper towel sheets. We now prefer this size as it reduces the amount used. For smaller spills, one smaller sheet is sufficient. For larger spills, one has a greater choice of the amount to use,
I find unit pricing unreliable, especially with loose fruit and veg, and do my own calculation. Oddly, the discrepancies that I see are usually in the direction of indicating that the product is cheaper than it actually is. On the other hand, sometimes unit pricing is just plain weird. Our local IGA recently had Dentastix dog chews with the following prices:
1.44 kg packet for $31, unit price â$17.22/100 gmâ.
720 gm for $22.50, unit price â$2.93/100 gm.â
180 gm on special for $4.80, unit price â$2.67/100 gmâ. Bingo! they got one right! But I bought the big packet and paid $2.15/100 gm.
Well spotted. Depending on how you look at it itâs an example of âshrinkflationâ (downsizing not picked up by the unit price being expressed in terms of per sheet irrespective of its size), OR âskimpflationâ (a reduction in the productâs composition or quality).
Itâs difficult for unit pricing to take account of such a change unless the unit of measure is per sq metre which most people would not find useful. However, for products like laundry detergents it can be taken into account by providing the unit per standardised wash load. This is done in some european countries
The Qld Consumers Association has made very good use of data from the survey in a 6 page submission to the Senate inquiry into the cost of living.
The submission recommends that in its final report the Senate Committee recommend that:
1. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) adopt a more proactive approach to monitoring and enforcing retailer compliance with the Retail Grocery Industry (Unit Pricing) Code of Conduct.
2. The Commonwealth government commission an independent, national review of the unit pricing (pricing of products per standardised unit of measure) system in order to:
Assess the effectiveness of the current unit pricing and other relevant legislation (including measurement legislation) and its administration,
Identify opportunities to increase the effectiveness and the scope of the current legislation and its administration.
3. More resources be provided to inform consumers about unit pricing and its uses.
IF YOU SUPPORT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS CONSIDER SENDING A SUPPORTIVE SUBMISSION OR LETTER TO THE INQUIRY BEFORE 10 MARCH.
Probably just a ticketing error. The unit price is obviously $0.71 rounded.
Looking at Woolies batteries online all but one have the unit price correctly displayed.
Iâve a similar observation for the battery blister packs from last time purchased (approx 4 weeks) in the local Woolies. The unit pricing per battery is not always on the price tags. With a few exceptions they are most often sold in pairs or 3âs, or some other odd number. Mostly I need 2 or 4, so the marketing genius is not to sell a 4 pack, and to ensure the 2 packs are over priced. Where ever I can I use rechargeable batteries.
Me too, however as you probably know there are a good number of uses that donât work well with rechargeables - mostly devices that donât have controlled low voltage cutout. Unless you change your batteries exactly when they are exhausted these devices can over-discharge your expensive rechargeables and ruin them or greatly reduce their life. Examples are clocks and some remotes, many torches, toysâŠ
Hereâs an example of lazy or deliberate failure to enable unit price comparisons, this time by Coles Online. Check out the different âunitsâ in the first three items, and then try to compare value of these with the 5th itemâŠ
Inconsistency in the units of measure used to show the unit price of different items of the same product type is far too common, especially on websites, and is contrary to the requirements of the mandatory Grocery Unit Pricing Code administered by the ACCC. I encourage you to send your photo to the ACCC.
Well done! Weâll only get improvements if consumers show that they care about this. I donât expect the ACCC will reply, but if they do please share it.
Yes unfortunately, that will be the reason⊠little known or appreciated fact by many, including IKEA who have stopped selling any AA and AAA single-use alkaline batteries and now only sell NIMH rechargeables. This is ultimately worse for the environment and pockets than alkalines in many cases. The world must be awash with rechargeable batteries that are discarded because they donât hold a charge, like yours (and mine).
