Supermarket Sleuths: Major change in Aussies' Christmas grocery shopping habits
By Jo Abi|
Supermarkets are getting busy ahead of Christmas, with Aussie shoppers picking up their hams and placing their fresh seafood and? dessert orders ready for the big day.
While it seems to be business as usual when it comes to our food spend this Christmas, some trends emerging for 2025 serve as a stark reminder that while we're excited for the festive season, we're having to make some changes this year in order to make ends meet.
According to Compare the Market, the average Australian will spend approximately $828.01 on food, decorations and presents this year, which is slightly more than in 2024, but that is thought to be due to the fact the cost of food and groceries has increased.
We're all feeling the festive spirit, but we're also trying to stick to Christmas budgets in a variety of ways.?
Here are the four main food and grocery shopping trends emerging this year.
1. Waiting until the last minute to buy food
While there has been some evidence of supermarket shoppers stocking up on some Christmas foods as early as November, 28 per cent will wait until the last minute to ensure it is as "fresh as possible", according to Canstar.
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This has the added benefit of consumers being able to take advantage of reduced prices as retailers try and clear their Christmas stock for the year.
The week before Christmas usually sees discounts being rolled out in earnest. If you can handle the crowds and stick to items on your shopping list only, that can be a clever way to save.?
And 16 per cent of Aussies will design their Christmas menus around what is most affordable each year, which give further opportunity to save.?
2. Less mains, but better quality
Australians will spend an average of $261 on their festive food and drinks, according to Canstar, with a mostly even split of preferences between a traditional menu of turkey or lamb, roast veggies and Christmas pudding.
Most Christmas spreads will feature turkey or lamb, not both, and perhaps a seasonal plate of seafood. There will be more focus on one quality main rather than multiple mains.
Eighteen per cent of Australian families will also cook foods that reflect their culture and heritage, ?which can offer more ways to save as these foods tend to cost the same year-round.
?3. Smaller gatherings
Australian families may save by hosting smaller gatherings this year, according to Credit Smart, as rising costs of food and travel place pressure on Christmas budgets.
For those who are hosting larger gatherings, asking guests to contribute drinks, sides and desserts is another easy way to save and can certainly reduce the stress of hosts as they can spend more time with guests and less time in the kitchen.
?Lacey Filipich from Money School told nine.com.au it's a good idea to share Christmas lunch plans with family and friends as early as possible if you are feeling the pinch, and brainstorm ways you can save on costs.
"That way you can still come together to enjoy each other's company, which is the point of Christmas celebrations, surely, but the pressure is on no single household to host and you can keep your costs manageable," she said.
4. Supermarkets still reign supreme
A recent poll by nine.com.au has revealed 44 per cent of those surveyed are shopping at Woolworths for the bulk of their Christmas food, followed by Coles at 32 per cent.
That's a whopping 76 per cent choosing to do their Christmas food shopping at the major supermarkets.
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Twelve per cent of those surveyed are shopping at Aldi for the bulk of their Christmas food and two per cent are headed to their local IGA.
Ten per cent are doing the bulk of theirs outside of supermarkets at independent food retailers and markets.?
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We're also more likely to choose our Christmas hams and fresh foods and produce in person this festive season, with ?the ACCC reporting in August that 85 per cent of Australians primarily shop for groceries in-store.
Online supermarket shopping is more geared towards bulky items like drinks and non-perishables like pantry items and cooking and baking ingredients.
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