There is a cheaper alternative to supermarkets, but most people don't know it exists
www.abc.net.au
Families and neighbours shopping through informal co-ops are saving hundreds, but the business model could help apply major competitive pressure to the major supermarkets.

  • In short: Families are making significant savings on their grocery bills by forming small shopping co-ops.

  • Cooperative business structures account for less than 1 per cent of the supermarket sector in Australia.

  • What’s next? The peak body for co-ops is calling for more government support for the business model.

  • Fluid@aussie.zoneMEnglish
    3·
    4 months ago

    Do it. I don’t understand why more people don’t join credit unions / mutual banking. There’s literally no downsides, they have all the same services, protections, minus the fees. It’s a no brainer.

    • Deceptichum@quokk.auEnglish
      3·
      4 months ago

      Knowledge/Recognition I’d say.

      Most people could tell you the names of the Big 4, doubt they know any CUs. Let alone if they even know what they are.

    • vividspecterEnglish
      1·
      4 months ago

      Fees have almost entirely gone away for most banks these days (at least the ones I’ve used), so I get the inertia. It certainly didn’t make sense when people would stay on the likes of CBA back when they had monthly fees and a savings rate much lower than third party banks and some credit unions.