Australia's new price gouging law targets Coles and Woolworths from July 2026
By
Ray Steinwall
Summary
Australia is introducing a new law effective July 1, 2026, targeting "price gouging" (excessive pricing) by very large supermarkets with revenue over A$30 billion — currently only Coles and Woolworths. The law prohibits these supermarkets from charging prices significantly above the cost of supply plus a reasonable margin. It amends the existing mandatory Food and Grocery Code and will be enforced by the ACCC with significant financial penalties for breaches. While the law puts major supermarkets on notice, its practical application is expected to be challenging.
Source
bskyAustralia's new price gouging law targets Coles and Woolworths from July 2026theconversation.comKey quotes
· 5 pulledAustralia's new law on supermarket 'price gouging' (also known as excessive pricing) starts on July 1 2026.
It prohibits any very large supermarket with revenue exceeding A$30 billion – currently only Coles and Woolworths – from charging a price for a grocery product that is significantly excessive compared to the cost of supply, plus a reasonable margin.
The law is an addition to the existing mandatory Food and Grocery Code. It will be enforced by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).
Significant financial penalties apply for any breach.
The new law targeting supermarket prices will be tough to apply. But it does put the big supermarkets on notice that their pricing practices are being watched.
You might also wanna read
State Lawmakers Misguidedly Target Grocery Pricing Technologies Instead of Actual Consumer Harms
The article argues that state lawmakers in New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Tennessee are misguidedly targeting the technologies that enable dynami
Maryland Becomes First State to Ban AI-Driven Dynamic Pricing in Grocery Stores
Maryland has become the first U.S. state to ban grocery stores and third-party delivery services (like DoorDash) from using customers' perso
The New York Times·2mo ago
Google Admits Anti-Competitive Conduct in Australia Over Search Pre-Installation
The ACCC has initiated Federal Court proceedings against Google Asia Pacific for anti-competitive agreements with Telstra and Optus, involvi
accc.gov.au·10mo ago
Maryland becomes first US state to ban grocery stores from using personal data for dynamic pricing
Maryland has become the first U.S. state to ban surveillance pricing in grocery stores, prohibiting grocers and third-party delivery service
The Guardian·2mo ago
Trump team pressured top grocery chains on its beef prices just before the July 4 holiday: report
Dollar Store Chains Systematically Overcharge Customers with Mismatched Shelf and Checkout Prices
A Guardian investigation reveals that Dollar General and Family Dollar stores systematically overcharge customers by displaying lower shelf
theguardian.com·7mo ago
Comments
Sign in to join the conversation.
No comments yet. Be the first.