Australian low-rice retailer Big W is dropping the shelf price of more than 2,000 products sold across its network, covering most categories including a handful of fashion items.
According to the store, the price drops are aimed at supporting customers who are navigating cost of living pressures. The drops also come as many fashion brands and retailers struggle amid business costs lifts and record low consumer confidence.
From today (April 16), shelf prices on products spanning skincare, beauty, decor, kitchenware, gaming, toys and technology will drop by an average of 13.5 per cent.
Big W chief commercial officer Christine Faulkner said customers have been telling the retailer how cost-of-living is impacting their household budgets.
“For decades we’ve been known for our incredible value, whether it’s our affordable clothing offering or best price books,” Faulkner said. “By dropping shelf prices, we’re expanding our commitment to the great value customers already find online and across our stores.”
Big W’s beauty and personal care section is a key focus of the price drops. Prices have dropped by an average of 14 per cent across over 1,600 products in this category including, facemasks, fragrances, mist sprays, concealers, and sanitizers.
There have also been price cuts across a handful of kids', men’s and women’s clothing, mostly shirts and tops for men’s and women’s and underwear for kids.
Home decor products have also seen reduced prices across Big W’s new autumn/winter range, as well as a near 40 per cent price cut to an 8 litre air fryer.
This comes after Big W’s sales lifted 1.8 per cent in the first half of FY26, driven mostly by the group’s new marketplace model and Big W’s online store. Retail store sales – which makes up 87 per cent of total sales – lifted just 0.5 per cent to $2.316 billion.
This is according to the retailer's parent company Woolworths Group.
By trading segment, clothing continued to strengthen, the group reported, benefitting from an improved range and availability, with improvements in the quality and weight of spring/summer stock and a cleaner F25 autumn/winter exit.
“Play growth was solid, driven by toys and tech, and continued growth in own brand supported by the expansion of the Somersault toy range," Woolworths Group reported in its H1 results.
“Home sales were flat on the prior year as growth in own brand ranges including Openook and Contempo were offset by a softer performance in small appliances promotions in Q2.
“Sales in the Everyday segment declined on the prior year with more to do to improve performance in H2.”