Coles denies cheap bananas at Halls Head was in response to Aldi opening

COMPETITION between Aldi and Coles in Halls Head looks to be heating up.

Local customers have been bombarding social media with their bargain buys at the local supermarkets.

Bek-Kii Lockyer was thrilled when Coles sold bananas for 20c/kg this week.

However, a Coles spokesman said the cheap bananas at Halls Head were not in response to the opening of Aldi.

“Bananas are great value at the moment after perfect growing conditions produced a bumper crop,” he said.

“We occasionally have more bananas than we can handle,” he said.

“This means customers reap the benefits of clearance prices like you saw on Thursday afternoon.

“Coles has been lowering the cost of living for West Australian families for the past seven years and we are committed to bringing prices down even further on the products our customers buy the most.

“There are now more than 2500 items on Every Day lower prices at Coles, which includes hot roast chickens, bakery rolls, and Colgate toothpaste.”

An Aldi spokesman said increased competition in the grocery market via the entry of discount retailers, such as Aldi, was in the best interest of Australian consumers.

“Consumer advocacy group Choice’s 2015 Supermarket Price Survey revealed that by buying Aldi exclusive brands instead of leading brands, customers could save about 50 per cent off their weekly grocery bill.

“It has been noted that Aldi’s presence in the market has positively influenced grocery pricing in Australia, with the ACCC’s Grocery Inquiry in 2008 confirming that major supermarket chains reduce their prices in locations where Aldi is present.

“The inquiry also acknowledged the role Aldi has played in driving vigorous price competition, in the best interests of Australian consumers.”