I know the usual suspects will call this aI sLoP, but I thought it was interesting, and I definitely didn't know them all (not to mention the shout out to OzBargain in the video):
Pricing & Legal Loopholes
- The Scanning Code of Practice: If an item scans at a higher price than the shelf tag, Coles is required to give you the first item completely free plus double the price difference as a store credit. This is a national code enforced by the ACCC. [00:33]
- "Try It, Love It" Guarantee: Any Coles-branded product (including fresh produce and bakery) can be returned for a full refund if you aren't satisfied, even if it's already opened. You just need the receipt and must claim it within 30 days. [05:25]
- The "Down Down" Illusion: Be skeptical of red "Down Down" tags. In 2024, the ACCC sued Coles for temporarily hiking prices for 4 weeks before "discounting" them to a price that was actually higher than the original long-term price. [13:51]
Strategic Timing & Markdowns
- The Yellow Ticket Schedule: The biggest waves of 30–70% discounts on fresh meat, bakery, and produce typically hit between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM on Fridays and 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM on Saturdays. [03:28]
- Rotisserie Chicken Lifecycle: Hot chickens are pulled after 4 hours for food safety. Instead of being tossed, they are shredded and sold in the deli fridge as cold shredded chicken packs for a lower price (around $8). [04:24]
- The Half-Price Cycle: About 12% of pantry staples (pasta sauce, cereal, cleaning supplies) go on half-price sales every 4 to 6 weeks like clockwork. Buying in bulk during these windows can save a family ~$250/year. [09:32]
Rewards & Loyalty Hacks
- Coles Plus Saver Subscription: For $7/month, you get 10% off one shop per month (up to $50 savings) and double Flybuys points. If your monthly shop is over $70, the subscription pays for itself. [06:23]
- Insurance & Card Stacking: You can stack Flybuys bonuses by holding Coles Insurance (car/home) and paying with a Coles Mastercard, potentially earning 6x points per dollar spent. [08:26]
- The Flybuys "Ghosting" Trick: The Flybuys algorithm uses a "recency model." If you stop scanning your card for 10–14 days, the system often triggers higher-value "win-back" offers (e.g., $10–$12 vouchers) to lure you back. [11:37]
- Velocity Points Conversion: Converting Flybuys to Virgin Australia Velocity points can offer nearly double the value compared to cashing them out for $10 off at the register. [12:47]
Store Operations & Data
- The Staff Discount: Employees get 5% off everything at Coles, Liquorland, and Vintage Cellars. This is a permanent perk not advertised to the public. [01:26]
- Tiered Store Formats: Stores are ranked A, B, or C based on suburb wealth. Format A stores (affluent areas) have luxury features like pizza stations and custom butchers, while Format C stores may lack a deli or bakery entirely. [02:24]
- Price Tracker Extensions: Free browser extensions (like those by developer Adam Williamson) can track price history and predict when items will go on sale with ~85% accuracy. [07:20]
- Unit Price App Filter: The Coles app has a hidden filter that allows you to sort by price per unit/100g, exposing when "bulk" packs are actually more expensive than smaller ones. [10:31]
- The Palantir Engine: Coles uses "Palantir" (CIA-grade data analytics) to track every scan and restock. This system predicts demand, adjusts markdowns in real-time, and even shapes shift rosters based on foot traffic. [15:14]
Please give an example. There are a couple of Format A stores around me I think and they don't have any of these.
If you can't give example, and it's factually wrong, then, are there any other factually wrong points in your post, and is it worth reading?