As the cost of living continues to bite, Australians are making some tough choices at the checkout.
If you’ve noticed your grocery bill creeping up, you’re not alone—and it turns out many Coles shoppers are quietly cutting back on certain items to help make ends meet.
Coles’ latest sales results have revealed the four grocery categories where customers are tightening their belts: treats, alcohol, meat, and bottled water.
Let’s examine these changes in more detail and consider what they mean for your weekly shop.
1. Treats: The first to go when budgets are tight
It’s no secret that when money gets tight, the ‘nice-to-haves’ are often the first to be crossed off the list.
Coles has reported a noticeable drop in treats sales—think chips, biscuits, confectionery, and even frozen desserts like ice cream.
While these little luxuries can brighten up a day, many shoppers are saving them for special occasions, with Easter sales remaining strong as families allowed themselves a well-deserved splurge.
2. Alcohol: Cutting back on the tipple
Alcohol is another area where Coles customers are pulling back. Whether it’s skipping the bottle of wine with dinner or forgoing a six-pack on the weekend, more Australians are choosing to reduce their alcohol purchases to save money.
This trend isn’t just about the hip pocket—some are also embracing the health benefits of drinking less, or swapping to cheaper alternatives.
3. Meat: Turning to meat-free meals
Meat has long been one of the most expensive items in the shopping trolley, and with prices still high, many shoppers are turning to meat-free meals more often.
Coles has even had to introduce new security measures, such as yellow plastic clips on meat products, to combat theft—a sign of just how valuable these items have become.
For many, the answer is simple: more veggie-based dishes, more beans and lentils, and less steak and chops.
4. Bottled water: Back to basics with reusable bottles
Bottled water sales are also down, with more shoppers opting for reusable bottles and tap water to save money and reduce waste.
It’s a small change that can add up over time, both for your wallet and the environment.
How else are Aussies saving at the supermarket?
The Coles report also highlights some other clever ways shoppers are stretching their dollars:
- Redeeming FlyBuys points: More customers are using their loyalty points for $10 discounts at the checkout.
- Choosing Coles’ own brands: Sales of Coles’ private label products, including the premium Coles Finest range, are up 14 per cent as shoppers look for better value.
- Cooking at home: With restaurant and takeaway prices on the rise, more people are dusting off their aprons and cooking at home.
- Shopping online: Online grocery sales have jumped by 25.7 per cent, with many finding it easier to stick to a budget and avoid impulse buys when shopping from the comfort of home.
Rising prices: What’s driving the squeeze?
It’s not just your imagination—some grocery prices really are soaring.
Products containing cocoa, such as biscuits, cereals, and chocolates, have seen price hikes as the cost of cocoa has jumped a staggering 180 per cent in the past year.
Coffee lovers are also feeling the pinch, with global coffee prices pushing up the cost of a cuppa.
Weather events haven’t helped either. Cyclone Alfred and severe flooding in Far North Queensland have disrupted supply chains and made it harder to keep shelves stocked, though Coles says its teams have worked hard to keep communities supplied.
Coles’ response: More value, more efficiency
Coles CEO Leah Weckert says the supermarket is investing in value and improving the shopping experience, both in-store and online.
The company’s new automated distribution and fulfilment centres are helping to keep products available and prices as low as possible, despite the challenges.
Tips for saving on your next shop
- Make a list and stick to it to avoid impulse buys.
- Compare unit prices to find the best value.
- Try swapping out expensive ingredients for cheaper alternatives.
- Take advantage of specials and loyalty programs.
- Cook in bulk and freeze leftovers for busy nights.
Every little bit helps—and together, we can make our money go further, even as prices rise.
Your say: How are you coping with rising grocery prices?
We know many of our readers are feeling pressured at checkout. Have you changed your shopping habits? Are there items you’ve stopped buying, or clever tricks you use to save money? Share your tips and experiences in the comments below—your advice could help others make their dollar go further.
Also read: Australians leave old shopping habit behind for this new money-saving trend!
It is unbelievable and disgraceful that Cokes have to put new security measures, such as yellow plastic clips on meat products, to combat theft—a sign of just how valuable these items have become.
Going meat free is not so hard just get your head around it
Looking at the list, it seems to me that it could be a good thing that these items are not bought all the time. For the life of me, I have never understood why anyone even needs to buy bottled water, and the price is huge compared to tap water, per litre. Set up a filtered system at home, you can do it for under $200, and you have access to purified water on tap. We live in such lazy and entitled times. Dropping these items will actually address a number of issues with health; not the least of which is obesity.