Woolies reveals lamb sales surge

Lamb sales have jumped 19 per cent in the last year, a surge Woolworths attributes to slashing the price of the top 10 most popular cuts.

A report released last week by the supermarket giant claimed the "deep discounts" were responsible for an extra 6 million kilograms of lamb hitting Australian dinner tables this year.

The Woolworths Trolley Trends Report revealed a vastly different Australian consumer than the one that existed 25 years ago.

Read the full report |

Woolworths commissioned the research into Australia's shopping habits with context provided by analysis of the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Household Expenditure Surveys, Census and Reserve Bank of Australia by leading social researcher, KPMG's Bernard Salt.

The report cites the most noticeable change was that Australians were purchasing significantly less red meat than 25 years ago.

"As a share of meat-wallet spend, it is down 16 percentage points from 1984 - a dip that is largely attributed to specific dietary choices and affordability," it says. "In contrast, chicken has become a staple for most Australians, rising by nine percentage points to constitute 21 per cent of our food and non-alcoholic beverage share of wallet.

Potatoes have taken the biggest hit when it comes to popularity on the Aussie dinner plate.

The once-favourite side dish of the 80s has been replaced by pasta, noodles and rice which now make up 61 per cent of side dish purchases, according to the report.

Woolworths supermarkets managing director Tjeerd Jegen said a shopper from 25 years ago would be confounded by the supermarket of today.

"Looking at how our lives and food shopping have evolved is what motivated us to undertake this unique study," he said.

"This report provides an exceptional insight into how the last 25 years have changed the way we shop and eat."

Key findings:

On average, Australians spend just 34% of their weekly food budget on their primary shopping day - they are increasingly using the supermarket like a pantry

Sunday is becoming the new Saturday for supermarket shopping, with 18% of Australians now making Sunday their primary shopping day, up 3% points since last year

Households headed by a person aged 48-49 years spend $3,548 more on food and non-alcoholic beverages each year than the average Australian

There was a 31.5% increase in the number of children still living with their parents between 2006 and 2011 - reflected in higher food costs for longer for many households

The potato was Australia's side dish of choice in 1984 accounting for 72% of side dish purchases. This has dropped to 39%, with the popularity of pasta, noodles and rice increasing to now make up 61% of side dish purchases

The 'meat and three veg' standard meal of the 1970s and 1980s has gone by the wayside

In the 1990s Mediterranean produce, including zucchini, garlic, eggplant and red capsicum, reached critical mass in our supermarkets

Medjool dates, figs, almonds and pomegranates were among the Arab and Persian items that reached critical mass at Woolies since 2010

Today you will find superfoods including kale, blueberries and sweet potato as a standard in the Woolies fresh produce section