Modern bread processing methods have completely changed the way our daily loaf is made.
4 Jun 2013 |
Bread has changed thanks to modern processing methods and additives. We investigate what's in supermarket and bakery breads and help you choose a healthy crust.
Our new CHOICE Recommended logo makes shopping easier.
18 Apr 2013 |
CHOICE's new endorsement scheme allows eligible manufacturers to use the influential new CHOICE Recommended logo.
Supermarket loyalty programs offer very little value but are used to collect enormous amounts of your personal data.
11 Apr 2013 |
CHOICE found that most loyalty programs offer such poor rewards you generally save less than a dollar per $100 spent.
CHOICE encourages you to know your consumer rights!
15 Mar 2013 |
This guide outlines common traps to be wary of, as well as offering tips on smarter shopping.
The CHOICE Guide to renovating your home will help you save time, money and heartache.
12 Mar 2013 |
Home renovation will be one of the biggest and costliest challenges of your life. But with our help, it can also be one of the most rewarding.
Get savvy with this CHOICE guide
8 Mar 2013 |
This guide outlines common traps to be wary of, as well as offering tips on smarter shopping.
CHOICE tells you how to spot the everyday pricing tricks you face as a consumer.
1 Feb 2013 |
Whether you’re doing the grocery shopping or looking a mobile phone deal, get the best value for money every time avoiding top pricing tricks.
Is it a genuine review or advertising in disguise?
23 Jan 2013 |
While consumers like to buy things that have been reviewed and recommended by others, we find you can't always trust the recommendations you find online.
Get savvy this summer with the latest CHOICE guide.
21 Dec 2012 |
This guide outlines common traps to be wary of, as well as offering tips on smarter shopping.
Make sure you ask some important questions when buying online.
21 Nov 2012 |
With some simple precautions, shopping online can be relatively trouble-free.
In an increasingly disposable world, CHOICE rediscovers the art of caring for jewellery, shoes, clothing and leather goods.
6 Nov 2012 |
Australian households spend thousands of dollars a year on clothing, shoes and accessories. So how should you take care of your investments?
Lay-by can be a cheap and convenient way to budget but you should be aware of the pitfalls.
22 Oct 2012 |
Lay-by can take the sting out of Christmas shopping, but the fine print can sometimes include tricky conditions such as expensive cancellation fees.
Health experts say there are long-term costs to supersizing.
19 Oct 2012 |
Health experts say buying in bulk will add more kilojoules to a nation whose waistline is already heading in the wrong direction.
Our customer service shadow shop produces mixed results for major retailers.
26 Sep 2012 |
How do Australia's bricks and mortar retailers stack up when it comes to customer service? We shadow shop Australia's 10 most popular retailers.
Is your nose falling prey to stealth advertising?
15 Aug 2012 |
Scent marketing is increasingly being used to draw consumers back into bricks-and-mortars stores.
While you know about toxins in pesticides, what about the ones in your clothes?
19 Jun 2012 |
While product safety is a hot legislative topic in other countries, it isn’t in in Australia.
The ACCC has launched an investigation following allegations of anti-competitive behaviour
21 May 2012 |
Accusations that local fashion retailers have breached competition laws by pressuring international retailers to raise their prices for Australian customers will be investigated by Australia’s competition regulator.
Coles Group’s new Flybuys program is set to take off around Australia, but is it worth buying in to?
19 Apr 2012 |
Coles has revamped its tired loyalty program to entice customers in the fiercely competitive supermarket industry. We crunch some numbers to see if there is any value.
While Australians are getting bigger, the clothing industry isn't keeping up.
26 Mar 2012 |
Plus-size clothing is limited and expensive for Australians despite there being a demand.
Check out this CHOICE guide to selling, giving or swapping.
22 Mar 2012 |
We've all got stuff we no longer want, need or use taking up space around the house. So how do you get the most of your useless junk?
We find interest-free deals can slug you with hefty fees.
20 Dec 2011 |
Long-term payment deals can cost you hundreds of dollars in fees alone, even if you pay everything off within the interest-free period.
A CHOICE shadow shop of major retailers reveals lack of disclosure of interest rates, fees and conditions.
20 Dec 2011 |
CHOICE looked at some interest-free payment offers available with six major retailers, and sent a shadow shopper to the stores.
We round up some of the best buys for your globetrotting friends.
16 Dec 2011 |
We pick fun and handy products that will make great Christmas presents for anyone who loves to travel.
These gift ideas will please any budding amateur chef.
29 Nov 2011 |
CHOICE picks the kitchen gadgets that will make great Christmas presents for anyone who loves to cook.
As online shopping takes off, so does the amount of packaging in the system.
24 Nov 2011 |
The amount of packaging material in the postal system is piling up as more and more people do their shopping online.
Gadgets and gizmos always make great presents for the tech-savvy and tech-curious.
23 Nov 2011 |
We round up the best technology buys, from tablets, to televisions, to MP3 players, to eBook readers.
We've trawled our test results to bring you a range of great gift ideas.
16 Nov 2011 |
From digital cameras to kitchen gadgets, our gift ideas cater to all budgets.
It's traumatic enough losing your jewellery without having to worry about insurance problems as well.
17 Oct 2011 |
It’s a good idea to check your contents insurance policy to make sure you have the right cover in case your jewellery gets stolen.
Why does sending a parcel from Australia cost so much compared with sending it to Australia?
22 Aug 2011 |
Australians appear to be paying more than consumers in NZ, the US, UK and further afield for staple services such as international postage.
Despite the lure of online shopping, bricks-and-mortar stores still have a strong pull on consumers.
2 Aug 2011 |
Online shopping is often quicker and cheaper, but bricks-and-mortars retailers have a few tricks that keep us coming back.
Are we being charged too much at the box office? CHOICE shows you how to get the most bang for your buck on your next trip to the movies.
19 Jul 2011 |
With movie ticket and candy bar prices continuing to rise, is a night at the movies still an affordable outing?
Online shopping goes viral as Australians look for a better deal offshore.
6 Jul 2011 |
Buying from foreign retailers has netted Australians big discounts. We look into the current state of play for online shopping.
Despite the fact that Australians are getting taller, it seems retailers are yet to catch up.
23 Jun 2011 |
Tall consumers are getting the short end of the stick in everything from buying clothes to travelling on planes, trains and in cars.
We look at some suitcase safety measures that may protect your belongings at home and abroad.
28 Apr 2011 |
Locks, straps, cable ties or shrink wrap? CHOICE runs through the options.
Aldi responds to CHOICE's call for a clarification of their uniform pricing policy.
13 Apr 2011 |
Aldi has amended communication about their uniform price policy to specify the exclusion of weekly specials.
It's little surprise that overseas shopping sites are turning up some of the best bargains.
5 Apr 2011 |
Chain, independent or online book retailers – we size up the options.
See which bricks and mortar retailer and which online retailer members voted best of the best.
30 Mar 2011 |
Over 12,000 CHOICE members weighed in on Australia’s most popular retailers, picking the stars from the duds.
Checking out high tech shopping - the now, and what is yet to come.
20 Jan 2011 |
CHOICE takes a closer look at the high-tech devices in supermarkets now, and those on the way.
Single-use shopping bags will be phased out from July 2011
7 Dec 2010 |
Single-use shopping bags will be phased out from July 2011
Our experts find it's not where you buy your steak that's important. It's knowing what to look for.
22 Nov 2010 |
CHOICE puts cuts of steak from Aldi, Coles and Woolworths before a panel of experts to see how they compare with the same cuts from a budget and premium butcher.
Sticking with your reusable polypropylene bags is the most sustainable choice - the one that makes a difference.
15 Nov 2010 |
The latest in the war on plastic.
Which labels can you trust and which are just marketing hype?
30 Aug 2010 |
Current labelling laws are broad and inconsistent even within the same industry. Country of origin and other claims, mixed with marketing hype, are confusing shoppers.
A monthly show looking at the funnier side of marketing and misprints.
26 Aug 2010 |
It's cheaper to pick your pizza up in person, better to play it safe with the seafood menu and easier to disregard the rules of punctuation.
Renting online is cheaper and more convenient than going to a walk-in video store. But there are hidden costs involved.
10 Aug 2010 |
We outline the benefits and pitfalls so you can find which way saves you money.
A price war has broken out in the optical industry. CHOICE’s shadow shop will help you assess your next pair of specs – and save plenty.
2 Jul 2010 |
Our price guide takes you through the confusing array of extras and options to explain exactly what you need to look for when shopping for specs.
Follow our buying guide to make sure you get the best deal on a new car.
31 May 2010 |
Save thousands on your next new car – and steer clear of the traps and pitfalls – by following the CHOICE buying guide.
How you pay for goods will often determine whether you get your purchases when a company goes under.
28 May 2010 |
Consumer Action Law Centre warns customers against buying goods from Clive Peeters unless they take them away on the day.
A monthly show looking at the funnier side of marketing and misprints.
24 Mar 2010 |
Unit pricing gone mad, bottom humour and tasty pizza packaging.
A monthly show looking at the funnier side of marketing and misprints.
19 Feb 2010 |
Do-it-yourself plastic surgery, the perfect bed for visiting in-laws, and a cure for sausage fingers.
A monthly show looking at the funnier side of marketing and misprints.
21 Jan 2010 |
An honest clairvoyant, a murderous driving school and a cash prize that falls a little short.
We look at nine common scenarios and show you how to assert your rights.
12 Jan 2010 |
What can you do when you know you’re getting a raw deal, but don't know what to do about it? Read on.
A monthly show looking at the funnier side of marketing and misprints.
21 Dec 2009 |
McDonalds, tattoos and traces of nuts feature in this pilot for our new series.
CHOICE explores risks of shopping and swapping second-hand items online.
14 Sep 2009 |
Despite the credit crunch, the second-hand trading market is booming as bargain-hunters turn to buying quality second-hand items online, from the latest plasma screens to designer togs.
For many of us, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals are a staple food, and a good one can be the perfect kick-start to the day.
29 May 2009 |
We looked at over 300 cereals and mueslis to find the ones that are best for you nutritionally.
Size irregularities suit certain sectors of the fashion industry.
25 May 2009 |
While there is an Australian standard for children’s clothes sizes, there isn’t for adults. So designers and clothing manufacturers base their sizes on their sales history, marketing hunches and their ideal customer.
You can't judge a book by its cover – what about food by its label?
20 Jan 2009 |
Food labelling can be a minefield of confusion and misinformation. Labelling legislation offers some relief, but often isn't sufficiently enforced.
When you buy something that gives a portion of the sale price to a good cause are you really donating to charity?
1 Sep 2008 |
As a consumer, cause-related marketing can be a way to make a small contribution to a cause without affecting your bottom line.
Is there any excuse for some shoes costing 12 times as much as others?
1 Jul 2008 |
If you’ve ever lusted after a pair of designer shoes, you’ve no doubt come up with a long list of reasons why spending $500 on some to-die-for heels is a good idea.
Factory outlet centres can be a bargain hunter’s paradise but don’t let the sale signs go to your head.
18 Oct 2007 |
Forget your local Westfield: there’s a new breed of shopping centre appearing around the country.
How do supermarket brands rate against their big-name competitors?
24 Sep 2007 |
As you stroll the aisles of Aldi, Woolies or Coles, do you wonder whether the growing number of supermarket-owned premium varieties are worth trying, or if they’re inherently inferior to "name" brands?
Shopping comparison websites can help you sniff out a good deal.
3 Apr 2007 |
Where do you go to find the best deal? Let your mouse do the walking and search for the best price on one website.
With a few precautions, shopping on the internet can be a safe and enjoyable experience.
10 Jan 2007 |
With some simple precautions, shopping online can be relatively trouble-free.
Tempted to buy someone a foot spa or an aromatherapy diffuser for Christmas?
9 Dec 2006 |
We recently asked CHOICE subscribers to rate how useful - or not - the small electrical appliances they own are.
Low-cost deals for those who pay on time, exorbitant interest rates for those who don’t — and a warning about deals to avoid.
3 Nov 2006 |
Store credit deals are lucrative for finance companies and can be profitable for retailers too, but for consumers they’re a real mixed bag.
Ready-made pasta sauces are quick and easy to prepare but our expert tasters were unimpressed.
4 Jun 2006 |
We served 14 big-name pasta sauces to three food experts and asked for their verdict. They weren’t enthusiastic about any of them.
Coles and Woolworths have launched new ‘private label’ ranges.
4 Mar 2006 |
Coles and Woolworths have recently launched new ‘private label’ (aka house brand) ranges, and announced plans to increase the number of these lines in stores. Judging by the experience of retailers overseas, it’s a smart move.
As much a holiday tradition as cocktails by the pool, does duty-free still offer good value?
23 Aug 2005 |
Duty-free shopping was one of the perks of travelling overseas. The introduction of GST saw a whole raft taxes phased out, so is still good value?