This was mentioned at a party last night, someone asked me to do so leading up to Christmas.
I've made the decision to buy from independent grocers and butchers, but also be careful & keep in mind what we'll actually need. Anyone else doing the boycott or involved?
In light of the price gouging & record profits debacle of course.
Edit - added poll based on a few opinions. Hopefully captured most?
coles are turning into prisons. they've gated off all the exits and now you have to beg to be let out. not shopping there anymore. such an unfriendly environment
Theft is insane, they will obviously pass the loss onto paying customers.
They have to do something.
So how did they make record profits in light of this insane theft?!?
Maybe they could try having manned registers where a real life human serves you?
@serpserpserp: People are less game to try stealing directly in front of people. Otherwise why has theft gone up so much since the move to self checkouts that Coles now has barrier’s on the exits?
@Randolph Duke: I watched a guy grab a handful of chocolate bars and put them in his pocket, before proceeding to walk out of the store unchallenged.
He knew I saw him. I reported it to the cashier and the supervisor said she knew. She noted the time and was going to review the CCTV as there was a camera above the aisile, but they won't do anything.
@serpserpserp: when i arrived in aus i alerted shopkeepers about people stealing shoes at big w, i had trouble understanding the reply was "yeah we know" and nothing happened - from what i gather its staff cant be arsed partially because if they could, still not much will happen to the thieves in addition to the risk of aggression ect
@juki: It's not that staff can't be arsed, it's that they are told not to confront them. The cost of a potential lawsuit and/or workers comp claim far outweighs the cost of the stolen goods.
If they confront the thieves they will likely be fired at best, attacked/hurt/killed, at worst.
@AdosHouse: What would the staff be sued for? - they could also hire security guards, formally report it..
I can understand not confronting directly when your safety is at risk (i work in a hospital i cant count the number of times people have attacked us)
doing nothing just sends a message of impunity, so why stop or not aim higher :/
@juki: The store sued, not the staff.
Security guard still cannot touch thiefs without out risk of consequences. And report it to who? Police? You think they got time to investigate everytime someone steals $5 of groceries?
The supermarkets aren't doing nothing, they are passing the costs onto the rest of us quite well.
@AdosHouse: damn my morals not letting me taking up thieving its such a bargain
hmm doesnt seem like security guard would be much of a job them (what would they do if they cant "touch" people) - that might explain the useless security guards at work too (kidding they are just lazy).
Why would the store be sued from actively preventing theft within the store, it boggles my mind. if caught within the store its not much investigating for the police, at least inconvenience the thieves by having them be picked up at the station
Is that what Coles told you about insane thefts? Or you just believe to Coles winges?
@Sidor: Might be because I’m in a low ecom area but it happens while I’m shopping. I see people walking right out with groceries.
@dylanando: I often see this too. Kids and adults just walk out the auto gates ignoring staff telling them to stop.
While I sympathise, I also know how much stock they lose to shoplifting…
care to share?
While I sympathise, I also know how much stock they lose to shoplifting…
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/jun/14/forme…
sounds like most of it is from inside jobs …
And their self service checkouts SUCK
Watched a young bloke verbally abusing the gates because they would not open, thought he was going to kick them outwards…
Avoid the self checkouts at all cost especially when i saw my ugly mug staring at me…
Yeah I don't like seeing my face in those things.
Those black gates are the most dystopian thing I have ever seen. I emailed Coles to provide feedback and they basically just blamed theft.
I did not get a response from Coles when I asked about why shoppers would be locked into the self service area in the event there was someone trying to steal stuff, being blocked and becoming violent.
The gates are stupid and its a matter of time till someone with slightly above average resources and time decides to mount a legal challenge over what is essentially unlawful detention. The gates will come down as soon as the cost of legal challenges + poor optics starts to outweigh the loss prevention.
@brandt: "
Thank you for contacting Coles Customer Care. We're disappointed to learn of your poor shopping experience.
We are trialling SmartGates in a small number of stores to help us reduce the occurrence of theft. While the large majority of our customers do the right thing, it’s not fair that a small number of people get away with doing the wrong thing.
The SmartGate system is expected to prevent attempted trolley/basket/bag walkouts that occur in stores Assisted Checkout areas. With some walkouts potentially valued at more than $500, this equates to a significant impact. The system is designed to keep our team members and customers safe from aggressive behaviour.
Please be assured we'll share your feedback with our relevant teams for their information. Coles is committed to providing a high level of service and feedback such as yours helps us to continually improve.
Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. We appreciate the feedback and look forward to being of service to you in the future."
How locking you into a self service area with an aggressive thief they are detaining with a black gate is designed to protect you I have no idea, but they also didn't respond to my request to explain the logic either.
@ajr5k: "Small number of stores" - really? Every Coles I've seen in the last month (which is not a small number of stores) has had them. It's also not just 'high risk' stores. It's a huge rollout for a trial.
@brandt: I think they'll go for accessbility/discrimination first, I've already heard a few stories of the gates being too narrow/closing on genuine customers.
That's not entirely true, they only stay closed if people haven't scanned all their items, you must have a lot of dishonest people when you shop. Unfortunately it's absolutely necessary even thought I don't like it as there are too many thieves these days due to the cost of living. They police don't care if you steal $50 of groceries, the shops have to take things into their own hands.
This is not accurate. In my own example, I had paid for my groceries and the gate did not open.
Agreed. At the self checkout yesterday and had stuff from another shop in the trolley.
As soon as I tried to pay, the red light started flashing and I had to wait for a staff member to come and override the message: something like “Are you SURE you’ve paid for everything?”
What did you miss?
I miss a passable customer experience
No. I shouldn’t have to do that - it’s a terrible customer experience that they should change
@barge-in hunter: Agreed, you already own the stuff from other shops, it’s yours, you shouldn’t have to prove it is.
@Rayzorback: Should bring an item that is sold in store with you and make them prove it isn't yours…
(just make sure it's visible on the entrance CCTV)
@Rayzorback: Yes you do, it's identical to the products in store and lots of people steal. It's better than Kmart where they want to look into your bag and check your receipt before you're allowed to exit. This only exists because there are so many dishonest thieves breaking the law, unfortunately that's the kind of society we have become now. As the wealth gap between the rich and the poor widen, it will only get worse. You can't blame the shops for adding inconveniences for the honest shoppers in order to deter/catch the criminals as the police definitely don't care unless they've stolen over $1,000 of items.
@supersabroso: granted this was in a different country but you'd be surprised, i've seen rich people ( i knew them..) steal from food banks , pensioners do graffiti in the train.
I do prefer the way target handles it, but yeah you cant just blame the "wealth gap", you'd spoon feed some people til they burst they'd still complain it wasnt enough
@barge-in hunter: This is why I’ve stopped using self serve checkouts except for 1-2 items.
If there aren’t any check outs open, I put the trolley behind me in the walk way so the camera doesn’t think I have anything.
so ….basically youre boycotting them
100% feels creepy shopping on supermarkets, staff always watching you, cameras at the checkouts, boom gates open only once ur paid. Feels very uncomfortable shopping in Coles and Woolies now. I only go in for items other stores don’t sell or when I use the monthly discount, or when there are actual real bargains. Aldi has some good enough alternatives especially for household items.
Aldi
REGISTER 2 PLEASE <robotic female voice>
boom gates open only once ur paid
Is that what those new black gates are? Wondering why they appeared. I always walk through an open one at my local, but that’s because i use the check out with the actual person scanning the items.
I prefer the actual person because I want to have the shopping customer experience from the olden days. You know, five years ago.
Soon we’ll have to check in before we go into a store .. hmm that sounds strangely familiar
@NoisyMiner: that is when we start micro-chipping humans en-masse as it will be so much more convenient than pulling out your phone everytime you go somewhere and need to buy something!!
Yes, should have added…
.
X Now Buying from Aldi when suitable products are available
Its the obvious alternative supermarket
And the scum duopoly don't provide staff when you have a cart. Well Coles doesn't at my local quite often
People should fill the shopping trolleys full, go to a closed staffed checkout. Leave the full trolley there, just take out four essential items and go to the self-checkout.
This means nothing, all you're doing is making more work for an already understaffed store. If you have a compaint, file it formally with the right people!
@aidenh37: Exactly, creating more work for staff leads to hiring more staff and retaining existing staff. Are you a store manager ?
@SuperLate: Ex Coles service department staff, not a manger. Still work retail whilst studying (have to declare previous and current associations and cannot remove from OzB).
I can tell you first hand complaining to staff usually leads nowhere, other than tiring them out more leading to less staff if anything. The decision on staffing lies with managers; if you have a complaint, talk to them directly.
@aidenh37: Who’s fault it’s understaffed would be my next question.
Don’t tell me it’s because of self serve checkouts 😁😉
Who’s fault it’s understaffed would be my next question.
Managers that allocate budget.
Don’t tell me it’s because of self serve checkouts 😁😉
I have a Woolworths near me that doesn't have self checkout. They don't put on any more staff than they would if they had self checkout, because the problem isn't self service, it's resource allocation. Naturally, that store has a very long line every time I see it (but don't enter, because I don't want to wait in line to pay - thus, customers do, to some extent, drive demand for self service, because managers aren't given/giving the right budget for staffing).
Nothing beats half price specials. Just be smart and buy half price, if you are lazy and need to buy full price all the time then yeah, you're better off going to an Aldi or something. In addition to this, they also frequently give 10% off your shop as part of their retention methods which clearly work. So basically, no independent grocer can beat a 60% discount on items such as chips, laundry detergent or rice etc.
Or the xxx 4 week deal which for me are 25% off usually.
So basically, no independent grocer can beat a 60% discount on items such as chips, laundry detergent or rice etc.
Well, apart from IGA, of course! /sarcasm (that's because most products are ordered from Metcash, which offers the buying power of the competition to smaller players)
But yes, overall I just have a little self control and only buy when the product is at a price I'm happy with. If I need/want it now, then yes I'll pay full price. All supermarkets offer similar or the same generic products as Aldi now anyway, thanks to competition.
The god damn begging for donations is really annoying.
I wont shop at WW because of this.
If I boycotted every company that had shady practices, life would be more difficult than necessary. So many of the ones we rely on for day to day living could fall under this category.
I don’t think a boycott is going to change anything other then making my already expensive food shop more expensive and inconvenient.
Yeah, boycotting one/two businesses for random reasons isn't too effective.
However, to attempt consuming more ethical, there's a pretty good app called Shop Ethical. Just punch in a business name or scan a barcode and it'll tell you who owns the company, and an overview of ethical facts about them to decide whether you are ok with giving them your money or not.
I appreciate the suggestion and it sounds like a good app for those inclined to research companies backgrounds, but its not something i would look into myself.
As i alluded to above, dig enough and you will find many an ethical/questionable business practice amongst many large corporations.
If you don’t… you haven’t dug deep enough.
Your money, your choice. Not sure what you are hoping to achieve with this post. If people have decided to boycott they’ve probably, already, made up their minds.
I assume to try and get more people on board
As I indicated if people are of a mind to boycott these places they, probably, already are.
The way I read op post they were convinced only today after it was inception-ed into their mind yesterday at a party
@Jimothy Wongingtons: Youre right haha, the fellow was passionate about it and I thought it through after the chat, particularly considering what other options I have (more than i initially thought).
@Embaloo: What points did the fellow raise that made you agree with them? And have any of those points been refuted in the comments here?
Achieve - yeah more awareness, but also opinion and discussion as tbh, i enjoy coles & woolies supermarket shopping.
Most of the deals I post, consider posting, or + are for coles or woolies, as they're close, well stocked, it will be an inconvenience to me to shop elsewhere, I tend to find the best reduced deals there, and its easy to look up prices.
It's a legit change, id probably be at the the two supermarkets at least 4 or 5 times this coming week picking up the bulk of my gathering supplies or last minute items.
To discuss it, generate interest and highlight it to others. Feel like all that makes sense.
Congratulations, you learnt how to make a choice in a capitalist economy. You can use your money however you want, you do not need to announce it to the world.
however considering how coles and woolies are a duopoly, i doubt a boycott would have much of an effect.
you do not need to announce it to the world.
Brutal. Just brutal. But agreed.
Thank you, haha
I'd say I'm usually thoughtful about stewarding the $ I have, but have not considered specifically avoiding the bigger supermarkets before (I usually just make decisons on the products within them).
Yeah they are a big duopoly. But thinking about the other options has been useful. Maybe smaller businesses will do a bit better this year.
I mean he can if he wants, look, we're all replying so clearly there's discussion interest.
People don't understand that Coles and Woollies have NOT increased their profits in real terms. Coles made 1.1b profit…. which was a 4.8% increase… with inflation at least 7%, that's going backwards by 2.2%.
Coles and Wollies make LESS money (in real terms) now than they used to.
They make 38.8b and take in 1.1… that's less than a 3% profit margin. Those numbers are insanely small for such an important industry… It's not like they keep all that money and party… they reinvest it.
This anti-Coles and Wollies sentiment could prompt (well-intentioned, but poorly executed) political intervention that would only increase food prices. Coles and Woollies are the scapegoats for the poor Government decisions during COVID which led to inflation and a higher cost of living in all areas, not just food prices.
Independent grocers and butchers are usually better anyway. The meat at woolies and coles is rubbish compared to my local butcher, and I get most of my fruit/veggies through farmers pick and markets.
Boycotting the major supermarkets is about as useful as a toothbrush made of ants though. If they have what I need at the best price then I will pay it, so I buy a few things from them. Buying elsewhere because they've been inflating prices isn't a boycott, it's common sense.
That is pretty much my thinking. I check the catalogues for the prices on stuff I want and then shop as widely as I can. Certainly I tend to get fruit and veg from the fresh markets. If you go later in the day you can get discounts when they are getting rid of stuff. Especially for seafood and meat.
while can't speak for all of AU …
but here in WA - the meat from local butchers almost always comes from same farm / area … as to what you'd buy in any major supermarket.
the big difference with going to an independent butcher … they will do special cuts + may also use homemade spices/rubs.
otherwise it is the exact same meat.
I despise Coles and Woolworths and always have. Don't like Aldi either, their dumpsters are an absolute disgrace and they never discount properly. The only saving grace for me with Woolworths is the Rewards points bonuses, bunch items etc. I use my Rewards card very sparingly, only for good offers. Otherwise it's cash only and no rewards card. And I shop at markdown time to get 70-90% off fruit/vege, meat, dairy, ready meals etc. Everything else I go to the Asian grocer and fruit market. It is amazing how much stuff you can get for very little $ if you have the time and inclination to shop around. Silly me bought cherries the other day in Woolworths @ $15.90 a kg, thought it was an OK price, then saw an independent fruit shop had them for $6.99. Almost all fruit and veg is waaaaaay overprice in Colesworths, and very poor quality. A few gold coins at the Asian grocer and I have enough veg to last me a week of cooking.
You should spend less time hanging around dumpsters!
A few gold coins at the Asian grocer and I have enough veg to last me a week of cooking.
What are you getting for $3?
Just the usual Asian greens, bok choi, gai lan, spring onions etc. I do a lot of wok cooking and the bok choi/gai lan comes in a bunch of 3 for $1 each. For the fried rice a cup of frozen peas,carrot and corn does the trick.
Most westerners can't even name what those vegetables are, let alone identify and learn how to cook with them, so I'm not sure how far this advice will ever go lol
@Blitzfx: Haha, you’re probably right! But no doubt they love to eat drunken noodles and pad see ew when they go to the Thai restaurant. I’m white as they come but cooking is a passion for me and I love cooking things authentically and shopping for good ingredients.
The ones I used to go to were full of mouldy fruit and vege
Are we back on dumpsters?
I would too shop at Asian grocer too but there aren't any around me
Aldi sell basically off chicken for full price.
If you've had a bad experience, maybe tipoff health & safety? Unless your suggesting they're in cohoots?
I've never had a problem with ALDI produce. Oz food standards are pretty tight, one of the reasons we all pay more at the checkout.
I've had off chicken but more so that they seem to rarely discount on short expiry
I'm not 'boycotting' them, I just don't shop with them anymore because their prices are so high and it's cheaper to shop elsewhere. Not to mention the creepy surveillance, tedious self checkouts that beg for round-ups and donations, tinned insincere xmas music and decorations… need i go on?