Build a basket and see which store is cheaper
Build your shopping list in Grocero, then compare what the whole basket costs at Coles and Woolworths. See which supermarket saves you money this week.
Basket comparison is how you compare Coles and Woolworths prices for a whole shop, not one special at a time. A September 2024 CHOICE comparison found Coles and Woolworths "almost identical" on overall basket price, which means the winner genuinely changes week to week depending on what's in your trolley. In Grocero you build your list as you shop around, then open Basket price comparison to see what the same list costs at each store, and switch everything to the cheaper store in one tap.
Step 1: Start your list
Open the My list tab. Every product you add from search lands in My basket. At the bottom, a pinned dock shows Your basket price (the running total for your current selections). When the other store could do the same list for less, a green Cheaper basket strip appears with the percentage you'd save.
Step 2: Add everyday staples
Build a list the way a normal household shops. Example staples (the kinds of items CHOICE uses in its supermarket basket surveys):
| Add in Grocero | Why it is on the list |
|---|---|
| Full cream milk 2L | Weekly dairy staple |
| Toast bread / sandwich loaf | Bakery staple |
| Free range eggs 12pk | Breakfast / cooking |
| Beef mince 500g | Midweek dinners |
| Basmati rice 1kg | Pantry staple |
| Pasta 500g | Cheap flexible dinner base |
| Greek yoghurt 1kg | Dairy / lunches |
| Tinned tomatoes 400g | Sauce base |
| Name-brand coffee 200g | The classic specials battleground |
| Laundry powder 2kg | Slow-moving, big price gaps |
How to add each one:
- Go to Browse and search the product (e.g. milk, beef mince)
- Open the right pack size and check both store prices
- Tap + on the store you'd buy it from
- Adjust the quantity with the stepper if you need more than one
Repeat until the list looks like your real week, not a perfect research basket.
Step 3: Watch for the Cheaper basket strip
As your list grows, Grocero keeps checking the same basket against the other store. Item rows that have a cheaper twin get a CHEAPER tag with a one-tap Swap; when the whole list would cost less elsewhere, the dock shows Cheaper basket with the saving percentage. You always see which supermarket is cheaper for this list, right now.
Step 4: Open Basket price comparison
Tap the dock to open Basket price comparison. One card per store:
- Coles total and Woolworths total for your list
- A CHEAPER badge and percentage difference on the winning store
- Coverage honesty on each card: how many items are matched, whether the total includes swaps, and if a store can't fulfil some items
That is how you compare Coles vs Woolworths prices in practice: one list, two totals, one decision about where to shop.
Step 5: Switch with eyes open
Tap the cheaper store's card to switch your whole basket to its prices. If the cheaper total relies on substitutes (a different brand or a close-match product), Grocero shows a review sheet first: each swap listed with the reason (same brand alternative, similar product) and the new total, so you choose Switch or Keep my basket knowing exactly what changes. Nothing is swapped silently.
If the gap is tiny, convenience can win, but you decided with numbers, not a guess.
Illustrative totals (examples only)
Live apps show live prices. For reading this page, here is the shape of a comparison after a staples list is built:
| Store | Example basket total | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Coles | $62.40 | - |
| Woolworths | $59.90 | Cheaper by ~$2.50 in this illustration |
Your real totals will differ by pack choices and this week's specials. Build your list and trust the in-app numbers.
Specials inside a basket
A "half price" line can still lose if the other store's regular price is lower. When you care about yellow tickets specifically, use Are supermarket specials actually cheaper?. For single-product lookup first, see how grocery price comparison works.
Frequently asked questions
How do I compare Coles and Woolworths prices in Grocero?
Add the products you buy to My list, then tap the basket dock to open Basket price comparison. You'll see your list's total at Coles and at Woolworths, with a CHEAPER badge on the winning store, and you can switch all items to that store in one tap.
Is this better than comparing one product at a time?
Yes, for the weekly shop. One cheap chicken does not fix an expensive trolley. Basket comparison answers where to do the whole trip, and CHOICE's own surveys show the Coles/Woolworths gap is small enough that the winner depends on your specific items.
Will Grocero swap my products without asking?
No. If a cheaper basket relies on substitutes, Grocero shows a review sheet listing every swap and why, before anything changes. You can keep your basket exactly as it is.
What if an item has no price at one store?
Grocero shows the gap instead of guessing. The comparison card tells you when a store can't fulfil items on your list, so the totals stay honest. Accuracy over coverage.
Does basket comparison include ALDI?
At launch it compares Coles and Woolworths. ALDI is next on the roadmap and joins when its coverage is solid enough to trust.
Is Grocero free?
Yes. Building a list and comparing basket totals is part of core free comparison. Grocero is independent and not affiliated with any supermarket.