Coles slashes prices on winter essentials—how much will you save?

If you’ve been feeling the pinch at the checkout lately, you’re not alone. The cost of living has been biting hard, and for many Australians—every dollar counts. 

But there’s some good news on the horizon: the supermarket giants are at it again, and this time, the price war is heating up in a way that could mean real savings for your weekly shop. 

Coles has just announced a major move, slashing prices on hundreds of everyday essentials both in-store and online. 

This isn’t just a token gesture—Coles is cutting the cost of 307 winter staples across meat, bakery, pantry, and dairy, as part of its latest Down Down campaign. 

The average saving? A very welcome 19 per cent, locked in for 12 weeks from Wednesday, 4 June.

What does this mean for you? Whether you’re planning a hearty roast, stocking the freezer with batch-cooked meals, or just whipping up a quick stir-fry, Coles is promising to help you stretch your dollar further. 

And with winter upon us, every little bit helps when it comes to keeping the household running and the family fed.

But Coles isn’t stopping there. On top of these new reductions, the supermarket will continue to offer its existing Down Down discounts, meaning that from this week, shoppers can expect an average of 588 discounted prices running right through to the end of August. That’s a lot of opportunities to save.

Anna Croft, Coles’ chief commercial officer, summed it up: ‘This winter we’re investing in bringing prices down to deliver immediate relief at the checkout to our customers.’ And let’s be honest, who doesn’t want a bit of relief when the bills are piling up?

But wait—there’s more! Coles has also launched its first-ever Flybuys Activate Bonus Value Points offer. 

For the month of June, you can earn 10 times the points on more than 800 items, plus bonus points on selected Liquorland products. 

That means you’ll be racking up those points faster, getting you closer to the 2,000 points needed for $10 off your shop. It’s a little extra incentive to keep your loyalty card handy.

Of course, Coles isn’t the only player in this supermarket showdown. 

Woolworths, Australia’s biggest supermarket chain, recently fired the first shot by lowering prices on nearly 400 popular products—everything from chicken schnitzel and Greek yoghurt to frozen berries, flour, bread, rice, and even nappies. 

Woolies says these price drops are here to stay until at least 2026, promising families who spend $150 a week could save around $15 each shop. But there’s more to Woolworths’ winter strategy than meets the eye.

Just last week, Woolworths launched its seasonal Lower Winter Prices program—offering an average 18 per cent discount on hundreds of winter staples like pantry items, frozen foods, personal care, and baby care. These prices are locked in for three months.

The supermarket also expanded its Lower Shelf Price commitment, now covering nearly 500 products after adding over 100 new ones. 

On top of that, Woolworths is boosting loyalty rewards. Its Boost Your Budget offer—running until 17 June—gives Everyday Rewards members 10x points on more than 1,000 products. 

This is alongside the Big Night In promotion, where customers who buy three eligible products and scan their card get a chance to win one million points every day until 8 July.

Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell says this is about more than just a quick fix: ‘This isn’t just a short-term promotion; it’s about lower shelf prices on the products we know customers regularly shop for, and providing genuine, lasting and dependable value they can count on.’ In other words, they’re in it for the long haul.

And then there’s ALDI, the perennial disruptor. ALDI’s CEO Anna McGrath has made it clear they’re not interested in flashy, short-term discounts. Instead, ALDI is sticking to its guns, promising everyday low prices on quality products. 

‘Trust isn’t built on flash sales, and loyalty isn’t earned through discounts alone,’ she said. ALDI’s approach is simple: keep prices low, always.

It’s a strategy that’s working. According to CHOICE’s government-funded supermarket price report, ALDI consistently comes out cheapest. 

For a basket of 14 essential items—think milk, butter, bread, pasta, mince, and fresh fruit and veg—Woolworths was $15.83 more expensive than ALDI, Coles was $15.33 more, and IGA trailed even further behind.

So, what does all this mean for you? In short, it’s a great time to shop around. With Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI all vying for your business, there are real savings to be had—if you know where to look. 

Here are a few tips to make the most of the supermarket wars:

• Compare prices before you shop. With so many discounts flying around, it pays to check the weekly catalogues or use price comparison apps.
• Make the most of loyalty programs. Whether it’s Flybuys at Coles or Everyday Rewards at Woolies, those points can add up to real savings—especially with bonus offers.
• Don’t forget the independents. While the big three are battling it out, your local IGA or independent grocer might have their own specials worth checking out.
• Buy in bulk and freeze. With winter essentials on sale, now’s a good time to stock up on meat, bread, and pantry staples.
• Keep an eye on the fine print. Some discounts are for a limited time, while others are locked in for longer. Make sure you know what you’re getting.

As the supermarket price war continues to unfold, shoppers are faced with a range of offers and strategies from major retailers aiming to win their loyalty. 

Understanding these changes and how they might affect your weekly shop can help you make informed decisions that suit your budget and needs.

Have you noticed the price drops at your local supermarket? Are you loyal to one chain, or do you shop around for the best deals? And what’s your top tip for saving money on groceries? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below—let’s help each other make every dollar go further this winter!

Also read: Coles shopper cracks supermarket secret to saving $1,000 a year