Leaked Coles documents unveil the surprising items Australians are skipping from their shopping list
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In news that may concern anyone living on a fixed income or tight budget, leaked internal sales documents from Coles have revealed that Australians are cutting back on essential products to keep up with cost-of-living pressures.
According to the documents, which were leaked to The Australian, there has been an alarming reduction in sales of popular products over the past 12 months.
For instance, bath soap and body wash have seen a staggering 33 per cent reduction in sales, while hand sanitisers are on a 30 per cent downturn.
Environmental cleaning products have taken a hit, too, down about 15 per cent, with similar decreases in multipurpose cleaners, cleaning wipes, scourers, and sponges. Big-name brands such as Ajax, Pine O Cleen, Glen 20, Dove, and Palmolive are among those affected by the decline in sales.
When asked about how customers’ shopping habits had changed, a Coles spokesperson revealed to The Australian that cost-of-living pressures were the primary reason why shoppers are cutting back on some products.
'We know some customers are changing their purchasing behaviour in response to cost of living,' they shared.
So what's the cause of this phenomenon? As mortgage repayments rise and the cost of stable housing continues to go up, shoppers could be looking to save money in other areas, like their grocery bills. By lowering their budget in this area, they can still pay their bills on time and keep their heads above water.
So how can we still get their hands on necessities without stretching our budget too thin?
Well, Coles has some advice. According to the chain, they’ve responded to the changing shopping habits by offering product promotions, highlighting their brand range and bigger pack sizes, which could save customers up to 70 per cent on some cleaning goods.
Interestingly, rival ALDI, in a survey released last month, echoed similar findings. Around 24 per cent of Australians admitted to running a tighter shop, with 26 per cent going to the shops less often. It also highlighted that fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, had seen a dip in sales.
The survey also presented a solution: switching supermarkets to save money. Unsurprisingly, ALDI recommended its own store as the answer.
You might also be interested in reading our story on five surprising spending habits amid rising living expenses. Here’s a hint, one new ‘trend’ isn’t legal…
Or you may be interested in reading about the potential savings when choosing homebrand products. In fact, more than 75 per cent of Australians have reported turning to generic brands to save money. You can read more here.
Have you found these survey results and document statistics to be true? Have you cut back on bathroom and cleaning products? We’re interested in hearing your story in the comments below.
According to the documents, which were leaked to The Australian, there has been an alarming reduction in sales of popular products over the past 12 months.
For instance, bath soap and body wash have seen a staggering 33 per cent reduction in sales, while hand sanitisers are on a 30 per cent downturn.
Environmental cleaning products have taken a hit, too, down about 15 per cent, with similar decreases in multipurpose cleaners, cleaning wipes, scourers, and sponges. Big-name brands such as Ajax, Pine O Cleen, Glen 20, Dove, and Palmolive are among those affected by the decline in sales.
When asked about how customers’ shopping habits had changed, a Coles spokesperson revealed to The Australian that cost-of-living pressures were the primary reason why shoppers are cutting back on some products.
'We know some customers are changing their purchasing behaviour in response to cost of living,' they shared.
So what's the cause of this phenomenon? As mortgage repayments rise and the cost of stable housing continues to go up, shoppers could be looking to save money in other areas, like their grocery bills. By lowering their budget in this area, they can still pay their bills on time and keep their heads above water.
So how can we still get their hands on necessities without stretching our budget too thin?
Well, Coles has some advice. According to the chain, they’ve responded to the changing shopping habits by offering product promotions, highlighting their brand range and bigger pack sizes, which could save customers up to 70 per cent on some cleaning goods.
Interestingly, rival ALDI, in a survey released last month, echoed similar findings. Around 24 per cent of Australians admitted to running a tighter shop, with 26 per cent going to the shops less often. It also highlighted that fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as meat, had seen a dip in sales.
The survey also presented a solution: switching supermarkets to save money. Unsurprisingly, ALDI recommended its own store as the answer.
Key Takeaways
- Internal Coles documents have revealed that due to cost of living concerns, Australians are purchasing fewer essential products, including major brands.
- Sales of products such as bath soaps, body washes, and hand sanitisers have dropped significantly (up to 33 per cent).
- Coles acknowledged that customers are altering their buying behaviour due to financial stress and are responding by promoting their own brand products and larger pack sizes, which can offer significant savings.
- Research by ALDI suggests that 24 per cent of Australians are tightening their shopping budgets, buying less fresh produce and meat, and visiting stores less frequently.
Or you may be interested in reading about the potential savings when choosing homebrand products. In fact, more than 75 per cent of Australians have reported turning to generic brands to save money. You can read more here.
Have you found these survey results and document statistics to be true? Have you cut back on bathroom and cleaning products? We’re interested in hearing your story in the comments below.