Consumer watchdog concerned by rise of per-item prices at Australian supermarkets

The rise of per-item charging at Australian supermarkets has led to huge price discrepancies, as customers snap up large fruit and vegetables leaving the smaller ones behind for the next wave of shoppers. Photograph: Jaimi Joy/Reuters

The head of Australia’s consumer regulator says she is concerned by the growing practice of major supermarkets charging customers for fresh produce by item, rather than by weight, leaving some shoppers confused and shortchanged.

Guardian Australia has recently reported several examples of price discrepancies by supermarkets charging fruit and vegetables per item.