ALDI customers are outraged: Why Coles Special Buys aisle just can't compete!
Finding the best deals is practically a sport! With so many of us being fans of ALDI, it's no surprise that their famed 'Special Buys Aisle' holds a special place in our hearts. However, Coles has been trying to recreate the magic of ALDI's special buys with their own version, aptly named 'Coles Best Buys', but the response from shoppers has been... underwhelming.
A photo of the Coles' Best Buys aisle was recently shared within an ALDI fans' Facebook group, sparking quite the conversation. The caption accompanying the image read: 'It's a pitiful effort, To Be Honest.' The poster also highlighted the lack of inventive items, which are usually found in ALDI's Special Buys section, such as floating Bluetooth speakers or night vision goggles. In contrast, the Coles Best Buys aisle showcased pet beds, plant stands, dog toys, and standard kitchen appliances.
Humorous reactions from group members soon flooded in. One person mockingly referred to Coles as 'amateurs', while another joked, 'Nobodies lowering their door frames for that garbage.' Others chimed in, asking tongue-in-cheek questions like, 'Any beekeepers' hats or trombones?' and 'Wait, no unicycles, diving suits, backscratchers, and ubiquitous snow gear? Shocking!'
Upon further investigation, it turns out that Coles' Best Buys aisle is not an entirely new idea. One group member pointed out, 'They've been doing it at my local Coles for several years now.' Another added, 'I haven't seen a Coles without it. Almost all have them, however, each store is located differently. Some stores have a full bay set up for them like the photo, others just have random shelves.'
In the interest of fairness, it's essential to mention that not all shoppers were disappointed by Coles' Best Buys aisle. One person defended the supermarket's efforts, emphasising how some good deals could still be found: 'We found an air purifier, battery bank and a huge first aid kit for the car at Coles Special Buys. Maybe nothing there of interest to you... but what they have could be of interest to someone else.'
In response to the discussion, a Coles spokesperson shared a statement with Yahoo Lifestyle, clarifying that Coles Best Buys has been in existence since 2019 and is accessible both online and in over 550 Coles supermarkets across Australia. The program is a tribute to Coles New World, where the founder GJ Coles began offering department-style appliances and homewares in the early 1920s, aiming to make everyday items more affordable.
Coles and ALDI are two of the biggest supermarkets in Australia, but their stories began way back before their superstores were established. Both stores have their origins in early 20th-century Australia.
Starting off as two small-scale family businesses, GJ Coles opened his first grocery store in 1914 in Collingwood, Victoria and Karl and Theo Albrecht opened a small food store in 1926 in Essen, Germany.
After the post-World War II economic boom, the Coles brand began to expand rapidly and opened its first 'supermarket' in the 1950s. By the late 1960s, Coles had expanded across the country leading to the creation of 'Coles New World' —an incorporation of homeware, hardware, and furniture alongside their groceries.
ALDI too, followed a similar growth surge in the 1980s, opening its first store in Sydney, Australia. ALDI stores took on a much more international stance than Coles, incorporating European products into their aisle in an effort to appeal to a wider variety of shoppers.
Today, Coles and ALDI have become two of the most popular supermarket chains in Australia, with hundreds of stores providing everyday essentials to the Australian public.
Despite Coles' good intentions and attempts to recreate ALDI's successful Special Buys formula, it's clear that not all shoppers have been won over by their efforts. That being said, it's still worth keeping an eye on their Best Buys aisle—you never know what gems you might find!
So, whether you're an ALDI devotee or a Coles crusader, shopping at either supermarket could yield savings and surprises. As members of the SDC, we'll continue to be ever-vigilant in our pursuit of fantastic deals and be sure to pass them along to you, our fellow bargain hunters! Happy shopping!
We would love to hear your perspective on this story! Have you found any great bargains in the Coles Best Buys aisle? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below..
A photo of the Coles' Best Buys aisle was recently shared within an ALDI fans' Facebook group, sparking quite the conversation. The caption accompanying the image read: 'It's a pitiful effort, To Be Honest.' The poster also highlighted the lack of inventive items, which are usually found in ALDI's Special Buys section, such as floating Bluetooth speakers or night vision goggles. In contrast, the Coles Best Buys aisle showcased pet beds, plant stands, dog toys, and standard kitchen appliances.
Humorous reactions from group members soon flooded in. One person mockingly referred to Coles as 'amateurs', while another joked, 'Nobodies lowering their door frames for that garbage.' Others chimed in, asking tongue-in-cheek questions like, 'Any beekeepers' hats or trombones?' and 'Wait, no unicycles, diving suits, backscratchers, and ubiquitous snow gear? Shocking!'
Upon further investigation, it turns out that Coles' Best Buys aisle is not an entirely new idea. One group member pointed out, 'They've been doing it at my local Coles for several years now.' Another added, 'I haven't seen a Coles without it. Almost all have them, however, each store is located differently. Some stores have a full bay set up for them like the photo, others just have random shelves.'
In the interest of fairness, it's essential to mention that not all shoppers were disappointed by Coles' Best Buys aisle. One person defended the supermarket's efforts, emphasising how some good deals could still be found: 'We found an air purifier, battery bank and a huge first aid kit for the car at Coles Special Buys. Maybe nothing there of interest to you... but what they have could be of interest to someone else.'
In response to the discussion, a Coles spokesperson shared a statement with Yahoo Lifestyle, clarifying that Coles Best Buys has been in existence since 2019 and is accessible both online and in over 550 Coles supermarkets across Australia. The program is a tribute to Coles New World, where the founder GJ Coles began offering department-style appliances and homewares in the early 1920s, aiming to make everyday items more affordable.
History of Coles and ALDI
Coles and ALDI are two of the biggest supermarkets in Australia, but their stories began way back before their superstores were established. Both stores have their origins in early 20th-century Australia.
Starting off as two small-scale family businesses, GJ Coles opened his first grocery store in 1914 in Collingwood, Victoria and Karl and Theo Albrecht opened a small food store in 1926 in Essen, Germany.
After the post-World War II economic boom, the Coles brand began to expand rapidly and opened its first 'supermarket' in the 1950s. By the late 1960s, Coles had expanded across the country leading to the creation of 'Coles New World' —an incorporation of homeware, hardware, and furniture alongside their groceries.
ALDI too, followed a similar growth surge in the 1980s, opening its first store in Sydney, Australia. ALDI stores took on a much more international stance than Coles, incorporating European products into their aisle in an effort to appeal to a wider variety of shoppers.
Today, Coles and ALDI have become two of the most popular supermarket chains in Australia, with hundreds of stores providing everyday essentials to the Australian public.
Key Takeaways
- Coles' attempt to recreate ALDI's 'Special Buys Aisle' with their 'Best Buys' aisle received mixed reactions from shoppers.
- Some customers poked fun at the lack of unique items compared to ALDI's aisle, while others defended their finds in the discounted section.
- Several group members pointed out that Coles' Best Buys aisle is not a new phenomenon and has been around since the days of Coles New World.
- A Coles spokesperson highlighted the history of Coles Best Buys and its aim to provide affordable and innovative products for customers.
So, whether you're an ALDI devotee or a Coles crusader, shopping at either supermarket could yield savings and surprises. As members of the SDC, we'll continue to be ever-vigilant in our pursuit of fantastic deals and be sure to pass them along to you, our fellow bargain hunters! Happy shopping!
We would love to hear your perspective on this story! Have you found any great bargains in the Coles Best Buys aisle? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments below..