Is the bigger pack actually better value?

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices were 3.3% higher in June than a year earlier. A national figure cannot tell you which item is best value today, but the unit price can help at the shelf.

Unit pricing converts different pack prices into a common measure, such as dollars per kilogram, per litre, per 100 grams or per item.

Compare the number beside the pack price

Most large supermarkets and online grocery retailers must display unit prices for everyday groceries. The unit price should be close to the selling price and easy to read.

Compare the same unit across suitable alternatives. If one bottle is priced per litre and another per 100 millilitres, convert them before choosing.

A discounted pack can still cost more per kilogram, litre or item than another size or brand.

Four checks that take seconds

1. Compare different sizes of the same product.
2. Compare home brand and branded alternatives.
3. Compare loose and pre-packed fruit or vegetables.
4. Check whether the amount will be used before it spoils.

The lowest unit price is not automatically the right choice. Buying more can waste money if the pack is too large, and dietary needs or product quality may matter more.

Make your own repeat basket

Choose 10 to 15 items you buy often. Record the product, size, unit price and store. On the next shop, compare the unit price again and note when you changed size or brand.

This gives you a personal shop check without pretending that one basket represents every Australian household or every store.

Sources and limits

Unit-pricing rules and consumer guidance were checked against the ACCC on 17 August 2026. Food inflation is from the ABS June 2026 CPI. Prices vary by store, location, date and promotion, so this article does not publish a retailer price index.

This article provides general information only. It is not financial advice and does not take your circumstances into account.