'Anyone got any idea why this is?': Price discrepancy at supermarket perplexes shoppers
A mysterious price difference in the nut aisle at Coles has perplexed shoppers.
Coles Unsalted Cashews cost 50c more than Coles Salted Cashews, despite them containing one less ingredient – salt.
Coles Unsalted Cashews cost $5.50 and Coles Salted Cashews are priced at $5.
Shoppers have noticed that Coles Unsalted Cashews cost 50c more than Coles Salted Cashews. Reddit/Coles
A Redditor took to the 'Coles' thread to try and solve the surprising price difference.
They posted a photo of the Coles cashews alongside the comment: "Same product, same size, but add salt and it becomes cheaper?
"Anyone got any idea why this is? Just trying to figure out the logic on this one."
One person joked that it was the cost of the "manual labour and cost involved with removing the salt" from each nut.
READ MORE: Aussie chocolate brand makes major change to iconic product
READ MORE: Andrew's name to be changed again
READ MORE: The grocery shopping habit most Aussies have abandoned
'Anyone got any idea why this is? Just trying to figure out the logic on this one.' Nine/Coles
And the jokes continued.
"They actually have a robot that gets the salt off, but the robot only work 9-5," one person replied.
"Don't forget the robot will likely be paying union fees. They have to take their slice of the pie as well," another joked.
"There's like an extra 1 per cent of cashew in the unsalted lol I don't know if that makes a difference… same origin and everything," one Reddit user pointed out.
"Unsalted costs more due to the manpower needed to lick the salt off before going in the bag," one commented.
Thankfully Coles peanuts have been spared for a similar price discrepancy. Nine
Despite all of the jokes and cheeky suggestions for the difference in price, the conversation did eventually become more serious.
One Reddit user suggested, "Prices are determined by demand. Unsalted cashews are desired more, means less stock higher price."
Some Redditors suggested possible reasons for the discrepancy. 9Honey
"The salted ones are offended, no one wants them. Hence they're cheaper, simply supply and demand model," another commented.
One Redditor suggested: "My guess is that the salted ones can use slightly lower quality product as the salt makes it taste better."
READ MORE: Black Friday deals have dropped early
"They possibly sell more of the salted," another said.
We contacted Coles to try and solve the mystery but their comment has just served to deepen it.
Their spokesperson told nine.com.au: "We regularly review our pricing to ensure we're offering competitive prices and great value across our range.
Coles is looking into the mystery. Nine
"While prices can be influenced by a variety of factors, we always welcome customer feedback.
"In this instance, we're working with our supplier on this discrepancy."
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.
Most viewed in Food
The four-year experiment that created Australia’s best sausage roll
Australia’s best supermarket party pies have been crowned
20 minutes, no ‘fancy’ ingredients: Jamie Oliver wants to transform your dinners
Australia’s favourite fast food chain revealed in surprise result as giants score surprisingly low
