M5
Moderator
A CHRISTMAS fuel price war has broken out between the major supermarket chains, with combined discounts worth the equivalent of 16 cents a litre.
Potential savings for motorists have tripled to as much as $12 a tank for a family car – a handy saving during the biggest travel period of the year for Australians.
The increased savings are on offer as the major supermarket chains, including Coles, Woolworths and IGA, are desperately trying to win consumer loyalty in the lead-up to the Christmas shopping period.
Woolworths fired the first shot on Monday by offering shoppers a 6¢ a litre discount if they spent more than $50 in their supermarkets.
Coles responded yesterday by offering 10¢ a litre off if shoppers spent $80 in their supermarkets. If shoppers then purchased another $2 of goods in the Coles Express service stations when they redeemed their fuel discount voucher, they would get another 2¢ a litre off.
Woolworths last night matched the 10¢ a litre offer for those who spent over $80.
The Metcash-backed IGA chain has said it won't increase its 4¢ a litre fuel discount – but it will allow shoppers to use receipts from any fuel purchase, including Coles or Woolworths, to claim a second discount at an IGA store.
"Shoppers can bring in the petrol discount receipt from our competitors and if they spend more than $30 in an IGA store, they will get the equivalent of another 4¢ a litre off their grocery bill at IGA," a spokesman for IGA said.
Consumers have 28 days after their supermarket purchase to use the fuel vouchers at Coles and Woolworths and 14 days at IGA.
Automobile associations have previously warned discount schemes can drive up the retail price of petrol.
"The biggest con out there at the moment is that the supermarket chains are really stacking it on at the end of the fuel pricing cycle," RACV spokesman David Cumming said.
Potential savings for motorists have tripled to as much as $12 a tank for a family car – a handy saving during the biggest travel period of the year for Australians.
The increased savings are on offer as the major supermarket chains, including Coles, Woolworths and IGA, are desperately trying to win consumer loyalty in the lead-up to the Christmas shopping period.
Woolworths fired the first shot on Monday by offering shoppers a 6¢ a litre discount if they spent more than $50 in their supermarkets.
Coles responded yesterday by offering 10¢ a litre off if shoppers spent $80 in their supermarkets. If shoppers then purchased another $2 of goods in the Coles Express service stations when they redeemed their fuel discount voucher, they would get another 2¢ a litre off.
Woolworths last night matched the 10¢ a litre offer for those who spent over $80.
The Metcash-backed IGA chain has said it won't increase its 4¢ a litre fuel discount – but it will allow shoppers to use receipts from any fuel purchase, including Coles or Woolworths, to claim a second discount at an IGA store.
"Shoppers can bring in the petrol discount receipt from our competitors and if they spend more than $30 in an IGA store, they will get the equivalent of another 4¢ a litre off their grocery bill at IGA," a spokesman for IGA said.
Consumers have 28 days after their supermarket purchase to use the fuel vouchers at Coles and Woolworths and 14 days at IGA.
Automobile associations have previously warned discount schemes can drive up the retail price of petrol.
"The biggest con out there at the moment is that the supermarket chains are really stacking it on at the end of the fuel pricing cycle," RACV spokesman David Cumming said.
