Woolworths engaged in ‘marketing magic’ to trick customers, consumer watchdog tells court

<p>The trial between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the supermarket giant began in the federal court in Sydney on Tuesday</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/apr/21/anthony-albanese-fuel-crisis-jim-chalmers-budget-cost-of-living-supermarket-discount-rebel-wilson-court-hearing-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Woolworths engaged in “marketing magic” to trick customers into thinking they were getting genuine discounts as part of the supermarket’s “Prices Dropped” promotion, the consumer regulator has told a court.</p><p>The landmark trial between the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and Woolworths began in the federal court in Sydney on Tuesday, almost two months after hearings ended in its <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/feb/17/coles-discounts-accc-court-down-down-promotions">very similar case against Coles</a>.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/apr/21/woolworths-price-drop-marketing-trick-customers-accc-court">Continue reading...</a>