Shoppers at supermarkets as far apart as Dubbo in NSW and Burnie in Tasmania paid the same price for most goods in a basket of groceries, a new survey shows.
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Well-known cereal Weetbix cost the same at a major chain's stores at 10 locations in regional NSW and Tasmania.
And at another major supermarket chain at Naracoorte in South Australia the breakfast food was just five cents more expensive.
The new survey conducted by Fairfax regional newspapers has indicated largely consistent pricing across geography.
Granny Smith apples were an exception, with shoppers at Burnie in Tasmania paying 50 cents more per kilo than the regular price at all the other stores.
The survey also showed identical prices for Nescafe coffee 150g, Meadow Lea spread and a 22-pack of Huggies Nappies at each of the stores at all 11 locations.
And there was less than 10 cents difference in the price of Nestle Milo at the one chain at Naracoorte and the 10 stores of the other chain's.
At Dubbo the basket of 11 items, including two fresh food and nine other items, came to a total of $58.96, excluding special prices.
Consumer group Choice has also been paying close attention to grocery prices.
Its December 2015 Consumer Pulse survey showed 74 per cent of Australians were worried about the cost of food and groceries - the second highest concern after electricity.
It compared 17 cities in June, looking at the average price of a basket of 28 leading brand products and three fresh food items at Coles and Woolworths.
Choice's survey showed Dubbo was second cheapest of the 17 cities, both including and excluding specials.
It reports on its website that its results show that generally shoppers in the eastern states pocket the most change from their weekly shop, while those in the Northern Territory and Western Australia are paying a premium.
"With Aldi planning to expand into South Australia and Western Australia in the next few years, we look forward to seeing how this will impact grocery prices in those locations," Choice said in its report.
Choice recommended that for the biggest savings and in the absence of a nearby Aldi, shopping around for specials and choosing private label over leading brands could make a significant different to your grocery bills.
