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“Makes me proud”: Coles applauded for Anzac Day display

An impressive Anzac Day display at a Coles supermarket has received a flood of attention, with many quick to praise the supermarket for the tribute. The display, situated at the entrance of the Annandale Coles store in Townsville, Queensland, features a large statue of a veteran surrounded by poppies and a “Lest We Forget” flag, and countless packets of Anzac biscuits for customers to enjoy. The worker who created the display said the tribute was in honour of her father: a war veteran. The Queensland store is also situated opposite the Lavarack Barracks in Townsville, the largest army base in Australia. A photo of the display was posted online by a Coles shopper and quickly went viral. “Coles Annandale Townsville. Huge display right as you walk in, brilliant!” the shopper wrote. “Take note, Woolworths.” The comments are in reference to <a href="https://oversixty.com.au/finance/legal/pauline-hanson-slams-woolies-controversial-anzac-day-decision" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Woolworths</a> saying they are not doing anything special for Anzac Day this year, other than selling charity pins for the RSL and selling Anzac biscuits, which are available all year round. Many social media users were elated by the display, sharing their comments to praise the supermarket's efforts. One person said, “Bloody well done Coles - too much Aussie stuff being constantly eroded," while another wrote, “Great respect for our Diggers Thank you Coles Annandale Townsville.” One more added, “That is great. As a veteran it makes me proud.” Despite Woolies announcement about this year's lack of Anzac Day fanfare, shoppers said that they’d seen similar displays at other supermarkets around the country. “My local Woolies has Anzac biscuits and all the Anzac badges on a big display just as you walk in the door,” said one. Another added, “Woolies Maryborough has a similar display!” Image credits: Facebook <p class="css-1n6q21n-StyledParagraph e4e0a020" style="box-sizing: border-box; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word; margin: 0px 0px 1.125rem; line-height: 25px; font-size: 1.125rem; font-family: HeyWow, Montserrat, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; caret-color: #292a33; color: #292a33;">

Caring

The secret sauce of Coles’ and Woolworths’ profits: high-tech surveillance and control

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-kate-kelly-1262424">Lauren Kate Kelly</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Coles and Woolworths, the supermarket chains that together control <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-20/woolworths-coles-supermarket-tactics-grocery-four-corners/103405054">almost two-thirds</a> of the Australian grocery market, are facing unprecedented scrutiny. One recent inquiry, commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions and led by former Australian Consumer and Competition Commission chair Allan Fels, found the pair engaged in unfair pricing practices; an ongoing <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Supermarket_Prices/SupermarketPrices">Senate inquiry into food prices</a> is looking at how these practices are linked to inflation; and the ACCC has just begun <a href="https://www.accc.gov.au/inquiries-and-consultations/supermarkets-inquiry-2024-25">a government-directed inquiry</a> into potentially anti-competitive behaviour in Australia’s supermarkets. Earlier this week, the two companies also came under the gaze of the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-19/super-power-the-cost-of-living-with-coles-and-woolworths/103486508">ABC current affairs program Four Corners</a>. Their respective chief executives each gave somewhat prickly interviews, and Woolworths chief Brad Banducci <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-21/woolworths-ceo-brad-banducci-retirement-four-corners/103493418">announced his retirement</a> two days after the program aired. A focus on the power of the supermarket duopoly is long overdue. However, one aspect of how Coles and Woolworths exercise their power has received relatively little attention: a growing high-tech infrastructure of surveillance and control that pervades retail stores, warehouses, delivery systems and beyond. <h2>Every customer a potential thief</h2> As the largest private-sector employers and providers of essential household goods, the supermarkets play an outsized role in public life. Indeed, they are such familiar places that technological developments there may fly under the radar of public attention. Coles and Woolworths are both implementing technologies that treat the supermarket as a “problem space” in which workers are controlled, customers are tracked and profits boosted. For example, in response to a purported spike in shoplifting, a raft of customer surveillance measures have been introduced that treat every customer as a potential thief. This includes <a href="https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/food/eat/coles-introducing-new-technology-which-will-track-shoppers-every-move/news-story/86ea8d330f76df87f2235eeda4d1136e">ceiling cameras</a> which assign a digital ID to individuals and track them through the store, and <a href="https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2023/08/16/smart-gate-technology">“smart” exit gates</a> that remain closed until a purchase is made. Some customers have reported being “<a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/coles-supermarketshoppers-dramatic-checkout-experience-goes-viral-i-was-trapped-c-12977760">trapped</a>” by the gate despite paying for their items, causing significant embarrassment. At least one Woolworths store has <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/woolies-in-wetherill-park-fitted-with-500-tiny-cameras-to-monitor-stock-levels/news-story/585de8c741ae9f520adcc4005f2a736a">installed 500 mini cameras</a> on product shelves. The cameras monitor real-time stock levels, and Woolworths says customers captured in photos will be silhouetted for privacy. A Woolworths spokesperson <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/up-to-70-cameras-watch-you-buy-groceries-what-happens-to-that-footage-20230819-p5dxtp.html">explained</a> the shelf cameras were part of “a number of initiatives, both covert and overt, to minimise instances of retail crime”. It is unclear whether the cameras are for inventory management, surveillance, or both. Workers themselves are being fitted with body-worn cameras and wearable alarms. Such measures may protect against customer aggression, which is a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-22/retail-union-staff-abuse-cost-of-living-christmas/103117014">serious problem facing workers</a>. Biometric data collected this way could also be used to discipline staff in what scholars Karen Levy and Solon Barocas refer to as “<a href="https://ijoc.org/index.php/ijoc/article/view/7041">refractive surveillance</a>” – a process whereby surveillance measures intended for one group can also impact another. <h2>Predicting crime</h2> At the same time as the supermarkets ramp up the amount of data they collect on staff and shoppers, they are also investing in data-driven “crime intelligence” software. Both supermarkets have <a href="https://www.smartcompany.com.au/industries/information-technology/grocery-chains-surveillance-tech-auror/">partnered with New Zealand start-up Auror</a>, which shares a name with the magic police from the Harry Potter books and claims it can predict crime before it happens. Coles also recently began a partnership with Palantir, a global data-driven surveillance company that takes its name from magical crystal balls in The Lord of the Rings. These heavy-handed measures seek to make self-service checkouts more secure without increasing staff numbers. This leads to something of a vicious cycle, as under-staffing, self-checkouts, and high prices are often <a href="https://www.aap.com.au/news/retail-workers-facing-increased-violence-and-abuse/">causes of customer aggression</a> to begin with. Many staff are similarly frustrated by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jun/05/coles-woolworths-court-accused-of-underpaying-workers">historical wage theft by the supermarkets</a> that totals hundreds of millions of dollars. <h2>From community employment to gig work</h2> Both supermarkets have brought the gig economy squarely <a href="https://theconversation.com/coles-uber-eats-deal-brings-the-gig-economy-inside-the-traditional-workplace-204353">inside the traditional workplace</a>. Uber and Doordash drivers are now part of the infrastructure of home delivery, in an attempt to push last-mile delivery costs onto gig workers. The precarious working conditions of the gig economy are well known. Customers may not be aware, however, that Coles recently increased Uber Eats and Doordash prices by at least 10%, and will <a href="https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/shoppers-slam-coles-over-major-change-to-half-price-buys-that-will-affect-millions-c-12860556">no longer match in-store promotions</a>. Drivers have been instructed to dispose of the shopping receipt and should no longer place it in the customer’s bag at drop-off. In addition to higher prices, customers also pay service and delivery fees for the convenience of on-demand delivery. Despite the price increases to customers, drivers I have interviewed in my ongoing research report they are earning less and less through the apps, often well below Australia’s minimum wage. Viewed as a whole, Coles’ and Woolworths’ high-tech measures paint a picture of surveillance and control that exerts pressures on both customers and workers. While issues of market competition, price gouging, and power asymmetries with suppliers must be scrutinised, issues of worker and customer surveillance are the other side of the same coin – and they too must be reckoned with.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/224076/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/lauren-kate-kelly-1262424">Lauren Kate Kelly</a>, PhD Candidate, ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/rmit-university-1063">RMIT University</a> Image credits: Shutterstock This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-secret-sauce-of-coles-and-woolworths-profits-high-tech-surveillance-and-control-224076">original article</a>.

Money & Banking

Coles shopper humiliated after being accused of shoplifting

A Coles shopper has been left feeling humiliated after they were forced to lift up their shirt to prove they weren’t shoplifting. Tony Jones, 39, was about to pay for his groceries at self-checkout on Saturday morning when he was confronted by the employee of the Brisbane Coles who made the accusation. “And what about what’s under your shirt?” Mr Jones said the staff member loudly asked him, causing the other customers to look around. Mr Jones has a stoma as a result of having his entire bowel removed from bowel cancer a few years ago, and later developed an “extremely obvious” hernia at the site which “sticks out about 15 centimetres from my stomach”. “My initial reaction was flat-out shock, because she didn’t say it in a way of asking me, she flat-out accused me,” he told <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/customer-with-obvious-hernia-humiliated-at-selfservice-checkout/news-story/56980cdcada75ba9ae0cca9cb90c75f0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. “She seemed quite proud. Everybody in the self-checkout bay heard what she accused me of, and she walked over to me. I was just stunned, I guess I kind of shut down — I’ve never been accused of being a thief before — so I just lifted my shirt.” After revealing his condition, Jones was left feeling “violated” as the supermarket worker simply said, “Yeah, sorry, we’ve had a few of those lately,” apparently referring to shoplifting incidents. Coles has since apologised to Mr Jones, but that hasn’t made up for the trauma he endured in the supermarket. “I’ve lived here for 12 or 13 years, I’ve been at that Coles plenty,” he said. “Obviously I don’t expect retail staff to recognise everybody … I assume they’ve had some thefts lately, I’m not sure whether they’ve been given instructions to pull up more people because they don’t have a [security] gate yet.” Mr Jones took to Reddit to share the story of his encounter, asking those on the social media site, “Is Coles allowed to ask what’s under my shirt? When it’s just my hernia.” The post quickly went viral, attracting hundreds of comments. “Former loss prevention officer here — they cannot detain you in any way unless they have witnessed you select the goods and witnessed you not take advantage of a reasonable opportunity to pay,” one person wrote. Another woman said, “I have a permanent ileostomy and have had retail workers accuse me of stealing too. It’s annoying because most of the time I wear clothes where the top of it pokes out the top and it’s happened when I’ve worn clothes that completely covered it.” A third person commented, “Gentle reminder Coles turned a record profit in the midst of the Covid recession, then decided to install hard arse security detectors to catch thieves.” Mr Jones said the whole experience left him feeling rattled and upset, especially as he continues to undergo treatment for his condition and prepare for another surgery. “I’m not dealing with it great, if I’m truthful,” he said. “I’m seeing doctors weekly at the moment. Things add up, and getting called out on Saturday, it basically shut me down for the entire day, [left me] for lack of a better word feeling like s**t. I had all eyes on me. I’m not a social person so I just wanted to get out of there to be honest. I don’t think I’ll ever be going back to Coles.” Image credits: Getty Images

Body

Disabled customer "crushed" by Coles' new smart gate

A customer using a wheelchair has been crushed by Coles' new controversial smart gates, just months after it was rolled out in Aussie stores. The smart gates were added to self-serve check-outs across the country late last year as a security measure against thieves. The gates were installed with a range of other security measures in response to rising theft rates, including "CCTV, electronic article surveillance (EAS), and in some stores new smart gate technology that automatically opens as customers make payment for their products," according to a Coles spokesperson. But on Tuesday a customer, who chose to remain anonymous, said that one of the smart gates “slammed shut” on them and their wheelchair, while they were on their routine shopping trip with their son. After buying a few things the customer said that they were heading to the "wide open" gate, and their son passed through safely. But, when they tried to follow, the gate abruptly closed “hitting” their arms and “crushing” their wheelchair. The gate began to beep and only reopened when the customer pushed their way through. Fortunately, the customer was not injured but wanted to raise awareness on the issue. “I’ll be calling every day until SOMEONE tells me how to avoid being crushed next time,” they said. A few other annoyed customers slammed the "invasive" and "annoying" technology. “One literally snapped shut on our pram as we were pushing our kiddo through,” one person wrote on social media. “I’d walked out the store first, pram and husband following behind. Especially cause they make them too small for you to go side-by-side! “It’s insane, and I refuse to look at any self check out or check out with that in the path.” Another added: “Not long until an elderly person is knocked over by them and breaks their hip or similar." "It’s turning into a jail rather than a supermarket,” a third wrote. Image: Getty

Legal

Coles shopper admits to stealing to feed her family amid cost of living crisis

A woman has made a desperate plea to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese after overhearing a teary Coles shopper admit to shoplifting to feed her family. The woman was shopping in her local Coles supermarket when she overheard another shopper confess the desperate act to her friend, as the cost of living crisis continues to impact struggling Aussies. Australia’s cost of living crisis is continuing to see millions struggle with soaring interest rates and rent prices, high energy bills and rising supermarket costs, with many being forced to take drastic measures to survive. Sharing on Facebook, the woman said she was feeling “let down” and “hoodwinked” by the Albanese government after listening to the Coles customer’s heartbreaking story. “Anthony Albanese, I am so deeply saddened to hear someone shopping at Coles admit to her friend in tears that sometimes she now steals food because she simply can’t put food on the table any other way,” she wrote. “Of course there is food relief et al (but those services are also at breaking point). It’s disheartening to witness firsthand the desperation that leads someone to resort to theft just to put food on the table." “While I have you, I am feeling let down and somewhat hoodwinked by you. Your sentiment around truly understanding hardship because of your upbringing seems to have been just talk." “What I heard today made me realise that not enough is being done that was promised to make a positive impact on the lives of those struggling with adversity.” Many commented on the post saying not enough was being done to help battling Aussies, and urging the government to do more. “The line at ReachOut (food pantry) was around the corner and down the street this afternoon,” one said. Another added, “Food costs are beyond ridiculous right now. I fear that the horse has bolted and once it’s out ... it’s not coming back for pats. “And sorry to say but Albo is just another politician. Hope he sees this and listens but I’m not holding my breath. Sad state of affairs.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

"Dead dodgy": Outraged shopper uncovers sneaky Coles practice

One disgruntled shopper has called out Coles for their "deceptive" tactic to mislead customers about their special deal prices. After finding that prices online were often mismatched to prices in store, regular Coles shopper Rowan Element got into the habit of checking if the price of an item was the same on the specials tag and its original tag, with the initial price often exaggerated on the specials tag to make the promotion appear more appealing. On Thursday, Element discovered one Coles store in Canberra employing this sneaky practice with the original tag conveniently hidden behind the promotion. "I bought this humble pack of sliced mushrooms, they were on special 'two for $6.50' or $4 for one. When I moved the specials tag the price was $3.50... It is not the first time that I’ve noticed something like this," she told <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/coles-customer-catches-supermarket-in-dead-dodgy-practice-062334548.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News Australia</a>. "Clearly Coles put the price up to make the 'special' look better but forgot to take off the original price ticket." After taking the mushrooms to the checkout and being charged $4 for the one pack, Element asked to speak to a manager and called out the "deceptive advertising". Staff provided a refund for the mushrooms and allowed the shopper to keep the produce before "literally running" to remove the offending tag from the shelf. Despite the small price discrepancy, the shopper believes the issue lies with the dishonestly of the supermarket giant, rather than with the small 50 cent disparity. "Sadly I think it's what we've come to expect from large corporations determined to make massive profits at the expense of their customers. There's total disregard for morality of their behaviour... It's dead dodgy" she said. Coles confirmed to Yahoo News the price tag in question at the Canberra store has been "corrected", however, it did not respond to questions regarding accusations that the supermarket was doing it on purpose. "Coles takes clear and accurate pricing information on tickets very seriously," a spokesperson said. "We always aim to ensure that our specials represent value for our customers and have confirmed that the special tickets were indeed correct in these instances." Image credits: Yahoo News / Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Inside Aussie couple's Coles wedding

A South Australian couple have tied the knot after seven years together, in the place where their relationship first began, Coles. Elisabeth Pel and Harley Liebelt, are former Coles workers who found love in the cereal aisle of a Coles in Mount Barker in 2016. Since then, they have built a family together and decided to tie the knot two weeks ago. “We worked for Coles Mount Barker, SA, for four years and we met each other in the grocery department,” Elisabeth told 7News. “We have since had a beautiful son together and two weeks ago we finally got married after seven years.” She then said that it had been the couple's dream to have their wedding photos taken at the Coles store where they met - and their photographer, Jacob Jennings, was happy to oblige. “Our photographer is an absolute wonderful human and when I suggested to him that we should take some photos at the Coles store we met in and the same aisle we met in he jumped at the idea!” the happy bride said. “So, on December 8 we went into the store in the afternoon and took photos. “These photos are more than I could have asked for. “We felt absolutely out of place but he made it wonderful and the store manager was also wonderful.” Their wedding photos have also received a lot of love on social media. “This is so fantastic in every way,” one said. “Damn, this is the best," another added. “I can’t deal,” a third wrote. A Coles spokesperson also congratulated the couple: “We are thrilled that two of our former team members found love and were able to return to where it all began for them.” Images: Jacob Jennings Instagram

Relationships

Jacqui Lambie fires up on Coles and Woolies

Jacqui Lambie has taken aim at Coles and Woolworths, after an inquiry has been launched against the supermarket giants. The supermarkets look set to be ordered to front up to a senate inquiry, to examine whether they are price gouging to get record profits amid a cost of living crisis. However, Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said the supermarkets should face more than just an inquiry, and called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to take real action. “Let’s be honest, they are like a bloody cartel,” she told Sky News on Monday. “I think what I find really shameful … is that we’ve got to run another inquiry to tell us the same thing, when we know very well that if we bulked up the (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) and gave it more powers they could actually fix this." “Where is the prime minister? Where is he?” Before the inquiry can officially be launched, the competition watchdog requires a referral from the Treasurer. Senator Lambie's opinions come after the Agriculture Minister Murray Watt called on the supermarket chains to freeze the price of a leg of Christmas ham, as Aussies continue to struggle with the cost of living crisis. “We know families are doing it tough at the moment and the cost of a lot of things is going up,” the Queensland senator said. “Presents for the kids, fuel to get to the other side of town to see your parents, fresh seafood as well as drinks, the cost of Christmas can really add up.” “Anything that can be done to give families a hand during this time would really be beneficial.” Coles and Woolworths have both insisted they will not be looking to hike up prices as it gets closer to the silly season, as both supermarkets have committed to dropping prices of popular Christmas items. Image credits: Getty Images

Money & Banking

Fed up farmer blasts major supermarkets for price gouging

In a heartfelt plea captured in a viral video, Ross Marsolino, a Victorian farmer and owner of Natural Earth Produce, expressed his frustration with major supermarkets and their pricing strategies for fruits and vegetables. Marsolino, who specialises in growing zucchinis, tomatoes and eggplants in Victoria's Goulburn Valley, said that the profit margins imposed by supermarkets are crippling farmers, adversely impacting consumers, and driving growers out of business. “We’re going to walk away from 80 acres today,” Marsolino said in his video posted to social media. “We’re not retailing the right price to be able to keep the product moving and selling. Plain and simple. The supermarkets are making too much profit out of our crops. We can’t survive. As growers we can’t afford to pay the workers, 50 people are going to be out of the system looking for work.” The crux of Marsolino's argument lies in the claim that supermarkets are engaging in price-gouging, purchasing produce from growers at a considerably lower price and then selling it at a steep markup. He highlighted the stark contrast between the $1.80 per kilo that supermarkets allegedly pay to farmers and the retail price of $4.99, stating that this disparity is unsustainable for growers. The consequence, as Marsolino outlined, is a domino effect on the entire supply chain. Farmers, unable to cover their costs, are forced to reduce the quantity of product they sell, leading to both financial losses for growers and higher prices for consumers. That is why, in his case, Marsolino is saying he is prepared to abandon his 80-acre zucchini crop, estimating the loss at a staggering $2 million. This decision, he said, is a result of the unsustainable economics of the industry. Marsolino's argument goes beyond his personal struggle; he contends that the high retail prices set by supermarkets are ultimately detrimental to consumers and the agricultural industry as a whole. He believes that if prices were lowered to a more reasonable level, consumers would be more inclined to purchase the produce, resulting in increased sales for growers and a healthier industry overall. The plea from Marsolino has also sparked a call for government intervention. He urged authorities to scrutinise the pricing practices of supermarkets, demanding transparency in their transactions with growers. Marsolino's desire is for someone to hold the major supermarket chains accountable for the prices they set and to ensure that they are fair and reasonable. In response to Marsolino's claims, representatives from Woolworths and Coles <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/fed-up-farmer-abandons-80acre-zucchini-crop-blaming-high-markups-at-supermarkets/news-story/30c5ebbaa296e74b8c12c1da356696cd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defended their pricing structures</a>. They argued that the prices paid to suppliers are influenced by various factors, including processing, transport, labour, packaging and market conditions. Both companies emphasised their commitment to fair pricing and their efforts to balance the interests of suppliers and consumers. Marsolino's plea serves as a reminder of the delicate balance required to sustain both the agricultural sector and the affordability of fresh produce for consumers. As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether there will be a shift towards a more equitable pricing structure that benefits all stakeholders in the industry. Images: Instagram

Money & Banking

Amazing money-saving hack hidden in Coles and Woolies Christmas shopping bags

Woolworths and Coles have released specially designed paper bags ahead of the Christmas period, with many praising their multi-purpose usage. The 25 cent bags feature a Christmas design, and are meant to be cut open and reused as wrapping paper for Christmas presents. Shoppers have been sharing their delight at the discovery on social media, with many praising the supermarket giants for encouraging recycling. A member of the North Shore Mums Facebook group shared the revelation, writing, "PSA: the Christmas woolies bags are designed to be cut open and used as wrapping paper." Both Coles and Woolworths bags include cutting lines to help those planning to use them as wrapping this festive season. They added an edit to the post explaining the bags could also be cut into squares around the decorations and used as gift tags. Other alternatives to pricey wrapping paper include tea towels, paper that has been decorated by children in the family or making the most out of reusable gift bags which can be collected and saved for the next occasion. With many families anxious of excess spending during the festive period in the face of the ongoing cost of living crisis, the reusable bags are set to be a welcome hack for those trying to be money conscious this Christmas. Image credits: 9Honey <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 16px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: 'Proxima Nova', system-ui, -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, Oxygen, Ubuntu, Cantarell, 'Fira Sans', 'Droid Sans', 'Helvetica Neue'; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 28px; vertical-align: baseline; caret-color: #333333; color: #333333;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant-caps: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline;">

Money & Banking

Coles and Woolies branded "price gougers" by disgruntled shopper

It's no secret that while millions of Aussies are struggling to put food on the table during the ongoing cost of living crisis, supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths are raking in record-breaking profits. While the unreasonable inflation of grocery prices is endlessly frustrating, it seems as though there's nothing everyday shoppers can do to avoid the price increases. But that didn't stop one frustrated Aussie from making a statement against the supermarket chains. The man from Sydney shared a video of him targeting Coles and Woolies shops in the Eastern Suburbs, as he chose to rephrase their taglines. Heading to a Woolies Metro in Bondi Junction, he printed on the logo, "The price gouge people", playing on their slogan of "The fresh food people". He then went to Coles in Rose Bay, reprinting their logo of the pointed down hand with the phrase, "Down, down, morality down", referencing the "down, down, prices are down" jingle. The posted a video of his antics to Instagram, captioning his antics, "So over this bull***t duopoly that Australia just puts up with for some reason. Using inflation as a smoke screen to rake in billions by price gouging people during a cost of living crisis." <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwbFvB4hX0-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/CwbFvB4hX0-/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by NOTNOT (@notnotcamscott)</a> </div> </blockquote> "There’s a reason why Coles and Woolworths make double the profit margins of other supermarkets in comparable markets overseas. 2/3 domination of our market leaves battlers with no time to seek out alternatives, no choice but to give into their greed." The video was quickly met with a flood of support, with one person writing, "When you inevitably get a fine for this, please put up a GoFundMe on Reddit and I will donate to cover part of the cost. Thanks for doing something more people should be doing!" Another person wrote, "I love how you can hold some tools and wear high-vis and nobody blinks and eye in this country", while several more commenters dubbed the man a "legend". Speaking to <a href="https://au.news.yahoo.com/disgruntled-shopper-sabotages-woolworths-and-coles-signs-the-price-gouge-people-072137676.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Yahoo News</a>, Woolworths confirmed that the new signage had been removed from their Bondi store, and said they are committed to helping families during the cost of living crisis. "We're acutely aware of the pressure that's being placed on Australian families through cost of living increases, whether they are our customers or our team members," a spokesperson said. "And we're doing more everyday to help customers spend less with us." A spokesperson for Coles also told Yahoo, "We know cost-of-living pressures are front-of-mind for our customers and are always looking for ways to help their dollars stretch further. This week, Coles announced it will bring down the price of more than 500 products for at least three months." "We value feedback from our customers, and encourage them to let us know about their shopping experience through our normal feedback channel – Tell Coles – or through our dedicated customer care team." Image credits: Instagram

Legal

Coles praised for helping small town through cost of living crisis

Coles has been praised for the innovative way they are helping a small Aussie town to combat the ongoing cost of living crisis. The supermarket giant has started contributing to a community pantry in the coastal town of Ulladulla, 200km south of Sydney, which gives struggling locals basic grocery staples. The Little Free Food Pantry in Ulladulla was set up by local woman Coralie Smith and her mother Melissa, who were on a mission to reduce food waste, while also give back to their community as the cost of living continues to take hold. The motto "take what you need, give what you can" is plastered along the top of the pantry, set up outside the local scout hall, designed for people to help themselves to food to feed their families. Most of the food in the community cupboard has been donated by the local Coles supermarket, which provides a range of baked items, meats and fresh produce daily. Woolworths has also contributed items to the pantry every week, while also being topped up by generous locals. One local woman named Michelle has been using the service for almost three months. Before the pantry was established, Michelle was only able to afford to eat just one meal a day. "I'm working three jobs because of the high interest rates and the cost of living," she told Yahoo News Australia. "When I collected my first hamper all I could do is cry". The first time she was offered food she felt extremely "overwhelmed" but "now I'm definitely eating more, and am able to keep up with my mortgage and bills". Image credits: Facebook / Shutterstock

Money & Banking

"Sexist to the core": Coles blasted over Mother's Day display

A Coles supermarket in Adelaide has come under fire for their "offensive" Mother's Day display, with one person describing it as "sexist to the core". A dedicated space for Mother's Day in the aisle of supermarket showed a shelf filled brimming with cleaning products and sanitary items under a series of signs that read, “More for Mum.” A photo of the display quickly went viral online, after the snap was posted to a local Adelaide Instagram page with the caption, "Happy Mother’s Day from Coles. We hope your mum loves the bottles of Pine O Clean, the peg basket and the incontinence pads." The post racked up thousands of likes and comments, as many claimed it was "wrong" on a number of levels. <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsD-ya3pe6F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CsD-ya3pe6F/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Shit Adelaide (the original) (@shitadelaide)</a> </div> </blockquote> The online outrage prompted the supermarket giant to share statement on the display, as they described the incident as an “isolated case”, and apologised for the “unintentional human error”. “We are grateful this has been drawn to our attention and our Coles team in Adelaide apologises for this error,” a spokesperson for the supermarket said. “This was an unintentional human error where recently discontinued products, including sanitary and cleaning supplies were placed along the seasonal ‘flex aisle’." “Celebrating Mothers and Mother figures is such an important occasion at Coles and we are committed to providing the best value and range of gifts to make this weekend extra special.” Despite the apology from the supermarket, some said the display was deeply "offensive" and "sexist to the core". “Don’t know what’s worse, the fabric softener down the bottom or the period undies on the top shelf,” one woman said. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Coles have majorly missed the mark on their Mother's Day displays. In 2020, the supermarket was called out for including washing powder in the gifting display, with one woman exclaiming on Facebook at the time, “Washing powder. In the Mother’s Day section. Are you f*****g kidding me Coles?". Coles apologised at the time, stating it was “not our intention to offend customers” and promised to ensure it would “review” displays in future. Image credits: Shutterstock / Instagram

Family & Pets

“Power back into our members”: Coles offers a helping hand

Coles is set to offer customers a lifeline during their struggle with the rising cost of living, reintroducing a number of deals for FlyBuys members, and cutting the cost of over 20 products for the next month. The news comes as good news to Australian families, with kids returning to classrooms in time with deals of popular lunch box staples, featuring the likes of yoghurt, juice, and chicken schnitzels. These deals follow the second phase of Coles’ Dropped & Locked promotion, which saw the prices of more than 300 new products across physical and online stores slashed. "These discounts on a wide range of products, from dinner essentials like RSPCA Chicken Breast Schnitzel …” Coles Chief Executive of Commercial and Express Leah Weckert said of the company’s move to slash prices, “make it even more valuable to scan your Flybuys in-store at Coles during the weekly shop.” Coles has said that its new wave of deals “almost double” the amount of everyday products customers have the potential to make a saving on, a claim that comes after it was revealed that somewhere around one third of Australians are relying on loyalty programs to balance their household budgets. “We have seen our customers turn to reward programs in these hard times,” the supermarket chain stated, “to help them save for anything from kitchen products to overseas trips. "This new range of Flybuys Member Pricing joins our successful Dropped&Locked campaign in taking the pressure off Aussie families by reducing the cost of everyday items and getting the household budget to stretch further." Over the course of the next four weeks, Flybuy members have a number of savings at their disposal on protein, with almost 20% off Coles RSPCA Chicken Breast Schnitzel (600g), over 20% on Coles Brand Scotch Fillet Steak, and 13% off Sealord Hoki Fillets in Tempura Batter (300g). With approximately 8.6 million Australians using the Flybuys loyalty rewards program, many are set to benefit from Coles’ helping hand. As Flybuys CEO Anna Le said, the company’s act will put “some power back into our members’ hands, and wallet.” Images: Getty

Money & Banking

Coles "drops and locks" prices on popular products

Coles has announced they have "dropped and locked" the price on 150 products both in store and online until January 31st 2023. The supermarket giant says the initiative is a response to "cost of living pressures", which has seen the price of popular items reduced between 10 and 40 percent. Some of the most popular brands affected include Steggles, Kleenex, Golden Circle, Kellogg’s, Bulla, Pepsi, Masterfoods, Cadbury, Handee and Whiskas, as well as selected items from the Coles deli. Coles originally trialled the campaign in August, which "locked" the price of over 1,100 items in store and online. Coles Chief Executive of Commercial and Express Leah Weckert said Coles was committed to helping customers find key staple products that will be dropped and locked in price for a few months. “We know it’s been a really tough year for many of our customers and they are looking for prices they can rely on each time they shop to help their household budget go further,” Weckert said. “Our ‘locked’ campaign has been successful because customers can clearly identify products that won’t go up in price until at least the end of January 2023." “They’ll now be able to see where we can provide savings on products Aussies love and keep them locked." “As we get closer to Christmas, we want our customers to know that they can depend on Coles to bring them reliable value and great prices during the festive season.” Image credits: Shutterstock

Money & Banking

Small detail in Coles BYO container scheme sparks confusion

A new sustainability scheme has left shoppers at Coles scratching their heads due to one seemingly counterintuitive detail. The retailer’s Together to Zero campaign has seen a handful of stores begin trialling a “bring your own packaging” scheme allowing customers to use reusable containers for items purchased from the deli counter. However, many are puzzled by one requirement of the scheme - the containers must be plastic. A sign displayed in a trial store in Blackwood, South Australia, which asked shoppers to “help reduce packaging” by bringing their own containers for deli workers to fill was shared on Facebook earlier this week by a shopper encouraging others to take part in the scheme. The sign also included requirements that the containers were “clean and intact”, had a “reusable lid”, and weren’t made of “glass or ceramic”. With the banning of single-use bags and plastic tableware, some questioned the sustainability project’s reliance on plastic over more sustainable options. “Shame there’s no glass containers allowed, but still a good move,” one person commented. “I only have glass so it’s completely useless for me,” another shared. “More crap to take to the store,” a third pointed out. Others shared concerns over the condition of containers that people would bring in, as well as the risk of food poisoning. “As much as I love the reusable option. I have fears about this. People will be bringing in manky containers that have sat in their cars for two days to refill,” one concerned person wrote. “How does this cover them for food poisoning?” another asked. Despite the concerns, some were more optimistic about the trial, with one person describing it as a “good start” and another sharing that they would “make a special trip or two” to take part. The trial of BYO containers will be taking place across several South Australian Coles supermarkets, including those in Burnside, Blackwood, Unley, Bridgewater, Mount Barker and Murray Bridge, as well as a store in Kew, Victoria. During the trial, the BYO containers aren’t allowed to be used for deli salads, frozen prawns, barbecue items, hot food, deli express products, or self-serve cheese or platters. A Coles spokesperson said the company was closely monitoring feedback of the trial, telling <a href="https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/coles-byo-containers-program-lashed-over-one-detail-with-customers-confused-over-rules/news-story/69032894b46e7174e79e203384850cd0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a> that it will inform whether the scheme is rolled out to additional stores across the country. “As part of our Together to Zero Waste ambition, Coles is always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary single-use plastic, while giving customers sustainable options to help them complete their shop,” the spokesperson said. “We are trialling bring-your-own containers at a handful of Coles supermarket delis in South Australia, to understand how best to provide this option to customers while continuing to meet stringent food safety standards. “We will be looking closely at how our South Australian customers respond, and the feedback and insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to more stores in South Australia, or around Australia.” Image: Facebook

Food & Wine

Major change being trialled in Coles to reduce waste

Coles has announced that they will be removing plastic bags from their fruits and vegetables section in a bid to reduce the use of single plastic. The supermarket will trial the removal of plastic bags at their ACT stores from 31 August until 13 September. Customers will be required to bring their own bags from home or can otherwise purchase reusable mesh fresh produce bags. In a bid to help customers, shoppers who spend $5 in store on fruit and veggies will receive a free 3-pack of reusable mesh fresh produce bags that is made from 90 per cent recycled materials. Once the trial is over, all 12 Coles stores will have single use bags for fresh produce removed from September 14. Coles Chief Operations and Sustainability Officer Matt Swindells explained that the initiative is one of the many ways the supermarket is looking to reduce waste. “Under our Together to Zero waste ambition, we are always looking for ways to reduce reliance on unnecessary and problematic single-use plastics packaging and provide sustainable solutions to our customers,” he said. “This will be the first time a major Australian supermarket will trial a completely reusable method of helping customers purchase their fresh fruit and veggies. “We will be looking closely at how our ACT customers respond. These insights will inform our consideration for potentially rolling this out to our customers nationally.” It comes as Coles rolled out fresh produce bags nationally that are made from 50 per cent recycled plastic. The bags can be returned to REDcycle bins at Coles supermarkets to be recycled. Image: Supplied

Food & Wine

Dumpster diver shows off controversial food haul

A popular Australian TikToker has shown off the crazy amount of fruit and vegetables they have salvaged after going dumpster diving behind a supermarket. Luca Corby filmed a dumpster diving expedition in Canberra to prove just how much fresh produce gets thrown out each day, captioning the video: “Anywaysss f**k big corporations.” Corby and two friends donned head torches before heading to a nearby store and taking a look in the bins. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@weinerfingerss/video/7126803839470112001" data-video-id="7126803839470112001"> <section><a title="@weinerfingerss" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@weinerfingerss" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@weinerfingerss</a> Reply to @charliemaycraft anywaysss f*ck big corporations <a title="costoflivingcrisis" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/costoflivingcrisis" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#costoflivingcrisis</a> <a title="foodwaste" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/foodwaste" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#foodwaste</a> <a title="♬ original sound - Luca Corby" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7126803845816781569" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - Luca Corby</a></section> </blockquote> “Food is expensive at the moment, so let’s go dumpster diving” they said. First off, the group managed to salvage a number of potatoes, carrots, leeks and a huge knob of ginger, which Corby estimated to be worth about $20. “Look at this lettuce, it is literally fresh. There is a couple of dead leaves on the outside but the inside is all fresh,” they said. The group also found rhubarb, mandarins, capsicums, oranges, grapes and asparagus. Corby filmed a follow-up the following day explaining once they came home, they washed all the fruit and vegetables and put them in the fridge. “Our fridge is stocked for the next week. Our groceries for this week were essentially free,” they said. “It’s crazy because we just went to a small supermarket, but you can imagine Coles and Woolworths would be throwing out so much stuff while families are struggling to buy fresh vegetables.” A few weeks earlier, Corby shared a picture of the huge amount of fresh produce their friend sourced after it was thrown out at a local IGA. The first video has clocked up more than 70,000 views, with many people shocked at how much fresh produce had been thrown away. “This is so heartbreaking to see. The food looks so fresh. People are struggling right now,” one person said. Another added: “Well done! It’s an absolute crime that those perfectly good foods can be thrown in the trash.” Both Woolworths and Coles have initiatives in place to reduce food waste in their stores. Woolies have implemented a Food Rescue and Recycling Program to help stores identify and divert surplus fresh food away from landfill. The discarded produce is instead used for things like hunger relief, animal stock feed at local farms and zoos, or for commercial composting. The supermarket giant works with OzHarvest, Foodbank and FareShare to make leftover edible food available to local hunger relief agencies. Coles has also introduced its Together to Zero Waste initiative to help reduce food waste across its stores. Image: TikTok

Food & Wine

Udderly ridiculous: Price of milk next in line for huge hike

With the cost of living soaring, we can now add home-brand milk to the long list of products being hit by significant price hikes. In yet another hit to household budgets, Coles and Woolies will start charging more for the grocery staple, in a move that's being chalked up to rising prices at the farm gate – which in turn are being passed on to consumers. Both supermarkets will charge $1.60 for a litre of homebranded milk, $3.10 for two litres and $4.50 for a family-sized three litre. That's a steep increase of 25c on the one litre, 50c for two litres and a whopping 60c jump on three-litre bottles. Coles will also increase the cost of its long-life UHT milk from $1.35 to $1.60. “The farmgate prices paid to dairy farmers have risen significantly this season, and as a result we’re paying our own brand suppliers more for milk,” a spokesperson for Woolworths said. Coles chief commercial officer Leah Weckert said the company was aware of increased cost of living pressures and remained committed to delivering value to its customers. "Raising prices is never something we do lightly, however, the increased supply chain costs we are seeing, including higher payments to dairy farmers and processors, have necessitated these increases on Coles brand milk products,” she said. Coles started paying its dairy farmers more for their product from the beginning of this month and has also agreed to higher costs asked by processors who source the milk themselves to supply the company. Image: Getty

Money & Banking

Savvy shopper reveals how to score free groceries at Coles and Woolies

An Australian mum has shared her tips on snagging free groceries at the till. The woman from Sydney's north shore took to Facebook to reveal her secrets which managed to bag her a one kilogram tin of Milo and a roast chicken for free last week. “Is everyone aware of the Code of Scanning Practice 1984 at supermarkets?” she asked. “If the price on the shelf is lower than the price the item scans, you get it free." “Check your receipts before leaving [the] shop ladies. They have to refund [you] and give you [the] item." “I usually find two to three items every week!” The Scanning Code of Practice is a voluntary code that many supermarkets have signed up to, including Woolies, Coles, and some IGA and Aldi stores. Under the policy, if an item scans higher than what the shelf price says, the customer is entitled to receive the first item for free. Any subsequent item will be charged at the lower price. The code however, does exclude alcohol, tobacco and items without a barcode, while purchases disputed must be under $50. The policy is well detailed on Coles' website as part of its "promise on price scanning". <div> “If a single item scans at a higher price than the advertised or ticket shelf price for that item, we will give you that item free,” it says. Many people shared their experiences of utilising the policy on the Facebook post, while others shared times they have still been charged full price. “A lot of the time they think people don’t know this, and they will try to just change it to the shelf price,” someone said. “At the service desk, they have a Code of Scanning Practice brochure,” another wrote. “ If they try to argue, I whip it out of my purse.” “I never used to bother saying anything but got sick of getting ripped off at every shop,” someone else added. Image credits: Getty Images </div>

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Coles praised for helping small town through cost of living crisis

"Sexist to the core": Coles blasted over Mother's Day display

“Power back into our members”: Coles offers a helping hand

Coles "drops and locks" prices on popular products

Small detail in Coles BYO container scheme sparks confusion

Major change being trialled in Coles to reduce waste

Dumpster diver shows off controversial food haul

Udderly ridiculous: Price of milk next in line for huge hike

Savvy shopper reveals how to score free groceries at Coles and Woolies

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“Makes me proud”: Coles applauded for Anzac Day display

The secret sauce of Coles’ and Woolworths’ profits: high-tech surveillance and control

Coles shopper humiliated after being accused of shoplifting

Disabled customer "crushed" by Coles' new smart gate

Coles shopper admits to stealing to feed her family amid cost of living crisis

"Dead dodgy": Outraged shopper uncovers sneaky Coles practice

Inside Aussie couple's Coles wedding

Jacqui Lambie fires up on Coles and Woolies

Fed up farmer blasts major supermarkets for price gouging

Amazing money-saving hack hidden in Coles and Woolies Christmas shopping bags

Coles and Woolies branded "price gougers" by disgruntled shopper

Coles praised for helping small town through cost of living crisis

"Sexist to the core": Coles blasted over Mother's Day display

“Power back into our members”: Coles offers a helping hand

Coles "drops and locks" prices on popular products

Small detail in Coles BYO container scheme sparks confusion

Major change being trialled in Coles to reduce waste

Dumpster diver shows off controversial food haul

Udderly ridiculous: Price of milk next in line for huge hike

Savvy shopper reveals how to score free groceries at Coles and Woolies

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