COL has increased the retail price of the five-pack (450 grams)...

COL has increased the retail price of the five-pack (450 grams) of Country Life soap from A$3.20 to A$4.50.

That's a big jump.

12 months ago, WOW/COl sold this PTL product for a bargain A$2.55, so since then at retail it's risen an amazing 76.4 per cent.

This reflects the cost of inputs such as tallow having markedly risen.

It also shows that (with the usual three month lag), supermarkets are approving many manuafcturers' requests for price rises.

Considering how long a bar of this good soap lasts, at 90 cents a bar it's still very good value, just not the incredibly cheap price it was in previous times. Try it: I doubt you'll be disappointed. Often on the lowest shelf, but seems to sell well.

At Australia's largest chain, WOW, it's still A$3.20 but I bet that won't last.