Tim Tam row: Woolworths defends ‘fake discount’ claims
- Apr 21
- 1 min read
Supermarket giant Woolworths is set to defend its pricing practices in court, rejecting claims it misled shoppers with fake discounts.
The case, brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, alleges both Woolworths and Coles briefly raised prices on everyday items before promoting them as discounted. Regulators say some “discounted” prices were equal to or even higher than original shelf prices.
The matter is now before the Federal Court of Australia, which will deliver a ruling after hearing arguments from both retailers.
The ACCC claims Woolworths’ conduct involved hundreds of products over nearly two years, affecting millions of purchases. However, the court will focus on a smaller group of key items, including popular snacks and grocery staples.
Woolworths denies any wrongdoing. The company says it acted in good faith during a period of high inflation following COVID-19 and worked with suppliers to keep prices down through its “Prices Dropped” program.
The watchdog argues the alleged practices made it harder for consumers to compare prices and make informed choices.
The case comes as supermarkets face growing scrutiny over pricing and profits, especially with fresh inflation pressures linked to rising global fuel costs.
Coles and Woolworths together control around two-thirds of Australia’s grocery market, keeping the spotlight firmly on how prices are set.
Source : 9News
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