Are supermarket specials actually cheaper?
Use Grocero to check whether a Coles or Woolworths special is actually cheaper. See a half-price ticket next to the other store's regular price before you buy.
Not every supermarket special in Australia is a real save. A yellow ticket means a store is promoting an item, not that the price beats the other major's regular (or special) price. The ACCC's 2024-25 supermarket inquiry found some "was/now" specials used inflated reference prices, so the discount looked bigger than it was. In Grocero you check that in one place: open the special, read both store prices on the same screen, and see whether the "sale" wins.
Below is the in-app walkthrough with a name-brand coffee example: a category Australians often see on half-price rotations, and where a weak special is easy to miss if you only look at one catalogue.
Step 1: Open this week's specials
The Specials tab shows current promotions from Coles and Woolworths in one feed. Each card shows the special price, the discount percentage, and the old price struck through, and when a deal is about to expire, a countdown like ENDS IN 2 DAYS.
Want to narrow it down? Search within specials, or open the filter to pick Both stores, Coles or Woolworths, plus categories like pantry or drinks.
Step 2: Open a special that looks like a win
Tap a card that feels familiar. For this walkthrough: a jar of coffee marked half price at one chain.
On the deal you should see:
- The special price with the old price struck through
- The discount badge (e.g. -50%)
- The store it belongs to
- How long it has left (ENDS TODAY, ENDS TOMORROW, ENDS IN 4 DAYS)
Step 3: Check the other store on the same screen
This is the real-specials test. On the product screen, Grocero still shows both retailers:
- Store A: on special at $9.00 (was $18.00)
- Store B: regular price $8.50
If Store A's "half price" is still higher than Store B's everyday price, the ticket failed the cross-store test, even if the discount versus Store A's own "was" price is real.
When the special does beat the other store, the BEST PRICE tag sits on the promoted price. That is a special worth planning a meal or stock-up around.
Step 4: Add only the specials that pass
Add the item to your list when the special wins. Skip it (or buy the other store's line) when it fails. Your list and basket comparison stay honest instead of filling with yellow-ticket trophies that cost more.
Why coffee (and pantry brands) make a good check
Name-brand pantry lines rotate through half-price cycles at Coles and Woolworths, typically resetting each Wednesday. They are also easy to overpay on if you only compare to the same shelf's "was" price. The same Grocero check works for pasta sauce, laundry powder, biscuits, or any matched product. Coffee is simply a clear teaching example.
For catalogue calendars and how the Wednesday cycle works, see the guides: supermarket specials in Australia, Coles weekly specials, and Woolworths weekly specials. Those explain the system; Grocero runs the cross-store test on the product you are about to buy.
Specials vs search vs basket
| Job | Where in Grocero |
|---|---|
| "Is this yellow ticket actually cheaper?" | Specials tab → product details (this page) |
| "Where is milk / bread / chicken cheaper?" | Search & compare |
| "Where should I do the whole shop?" | Build a basket |
What this is not
Grocero is not a replacement for a live "every half-price SKU this week" catalogue site. It is the independent check: for this product, does the special beat the other store? That is the gap the ACCC's inquiry put on the record, and the habit that stops weak specials leaking into your trolley.
Frequently asked questions
Are Coles and Woolworths specials real?
Many are genuine cuts versus that chain's own higher price. Some still fail when you compare to the other supermarket's regular price. The ACCC's 2024-25 inquiry found some "was/now" deals used inflated reference prices. Grocero shows both stores so you can tell.
How does Grocero flag a weak special?
On the product screen you see each store's current price side by side. The BEST PRICE tag only goes to the store that genuinely wins. A half-price badge doesn't earn it if the other store is still cheaper.
What did the ACCC say about specials?
Its 2024-25 supermarket inquiry found some advertised specials used inflated "was" prices, making discounts look bigger than they were. Cross-store checking is how shoppers verify a deal item by item.
Can I browse only specials in the app?
Yes. Open the Specials tab, filter by store or category, then open any deal to run the cross-store comparison before you add it to your list.
Is Grocero free?
Yes. Checking specials and comparing prices is part of core free comparison. Grocero is independent and not affiliated with any supermarket.