Chocolate wonderland turned nightmare: Photos expose Woolworths and Coles' Easter oversight
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As the Easter festivities wind down and the last of the hot cross buns are savoured, a stroll through the aisles of Woolworths and Coles might leave you feeling like you've stumbled upon a chocolate wonderland.
But this isn't just any ordinary surplus of sweets; it's a glaring testament to what some call a 'significant' oversight by the supermarket giants amid a cost-of-living crisis gripping the nation.
Shocking photos have surfaced online, showcasing aisles brimming with Easter chocolate, now heavily discounted.
While some shoppers are revelling in the post-holiday bargains, others can't help but feel a sting of dismay, having paid full price in the lead-up to Easter.
The images circulating on social media are not just snapshots of leftover stock; they're a snapshot of a broader issue that consumer experts believe points to a miscalculation by Woolworths and Coles.
Gary Mortimer, a consumer expert, said, ‘I've also noticed significant overstocks this year in supermarkets.’
‘I suspect customers cut back this year due to the cost-of-living crisis...They've gone, “Geez, it's really expensive this year, and maybe I'll just get one.”'
Forecasting seasonal events like Easter, Christmas, and Lunar New Year is ‘generally not that hard’ for supermarkets, with historical data and growth trends guiding their stock orders.
‘Most supermarkets will have an understanding of what proportion of products they sold last year and they would add on a very small percentage based on demand, population growth within a suburb,’ Mortimer said.
However, he suggested that this year's considerable leftover volumes are a direct result of Australians feeling the financial squeeze, compounded by a rise in grocery costs and the increased price of cocoa, which has inevitably led to pricier Easter treats.
'I thought even the prices were a little bit higher this year than I'd have expected, and that may have put people off buying Easter eggs this year,' Mortimer added.
With a surplus of chocolate bunnies and eggs, Woolworths and Coles have resorted to steep discounts to clear the shelves.
Reports indicate that Coles has slashed prices by as much as 75 per cent. Despite the situation, Woolworths and Coles have declined to comment on the large volumes of unsold chocolates.
'It only takes a decline in demand to leave overstocks...they'll just keep discounting,' Mortimer concluded.
In a similar story, Woolworths was slammed for having Cadbury Easter egg products carrying a ‘prices dropped’ label despite being priced a dollar higher than the previous year.
This price drop claim didn’t sit well with eagle-eyed shoppers. You can read more about the story here.
Have you stumbled upon these chocolate-laden aisles yourself? Did you snag a bargain, or are you among those who paid full price only to see the discounts roll in days later? Share your experiences and thoughts with us in the comments below.
But this isn't just any ordinary surplus of sweets; it's a glaring testament to what some call a 'significant' oversight by the supermarket giants amid a cost-of-living crisis gripping the nation.
Shocking photos have surfaced online, showcasing aisles brimming with Easter chocolate, now heavily discounted.
While some shoppers are revelling in the post-holiday bargains, others can't help but feel a sting of dismay, having paid full price in the lead-up to Easter.
Woolworths and Coles have significantly reduced their Easter chocolates due to several leftovers. Credit: Facebook
The images circulating on social media are not just snapshots of leftover stock; they're a snapshot of a broader issue that consumer experts believe points to a miscalculation by Woolworths and Coles.
Gary Mortimer, a consumer expert, said, ‘I've also noticed significant overstocks this year in supermarkets.’
‘I suspect customers cut back this year due to the cost-of-living crisis...They've gone, “Geez, it's really expensive this year, and maybe I'll just get one.”'
Forecasting seasonal events like Easter, Christmas, and Lunar New Year is ‘generally not that hard’ for supermarkets, with historical data and growth trends guiding their stock orders.
‘Most supermarkets will have an understanding of what proportion of products they sold last year and they would add on a very small percentage based on demand, population growth within a suburb,’ Mortimer said.
However, he suggested that this year's considerable leftover volumes are a direct result of Australians feeling the financial squeeze, compounded by a rise in grocery costs and the increased price of cocoa, which has inevitably led to pricier Easter treats.
There are still large leftovers of Easter chocolate in supermarkets. Credit: Facebook
'I thought even the prices were a little bit higher this year than I'd have expected, and that may have put people off buying Easter eggs this year,' Mortimer added.
With a surplus of chocolate bunnies and eggs, Woolworths and Coles have resorted to steep discounts to clear the shelves.
Reports indicate that Coles has slashed prices by as much as 75 per cent. Despite the situation, Woolworths and Coles have declined to comment on the large volumes of unsold chocolates.
'It only takes a decline in demand to leave overstocks...they'll just keep discounting,' Mortimer concluded.
In a similar story, Woolworths was slammed for having Cadbury Easter egg products carrying a ‘prices dropped’ label despite being priced a dollar higher than the previous year.
This price drop claim didn’t sit well with eagle-eyed shoppers. You can read more about the story here.
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