Melbourne woman angry over cost of nine Coles items

A 25-year-old woman has been left furious after a simple supermarket shop where her nine items cost more than $60.

A 25-year-old woman has been left furious after a simple supermarket shop where she bought just nine items for more than $60.

Avalon, from Melbourne, popped into her local Coles and left outraged after two cucumbers, tofu, noodles, soy sauce, spring onion, mint, snap peas and a tin of sweet corn came to the total of $60.10.

She told the supermarket to “count their days”.

“In what reality are two cucumbers this size — measly — worth $7,” she said in a viral TikTok video.

“Have you lost your mind?”

She said she wasn’t even doing a full shop, telling news.com.au: “I shop exclusively at farmers markets now to avoid the shock horror of my bill for just a few basic items.

“If I’m paying hundreds of dollars for groceries – I’d rather support my local community and invest in good quality product instead of feeling like I’ve been ripped off for things that are unfairly priced.”

In the video, she said it was cheaper to order takeaway for two people rather than pop into the supermarket.

Avalon is angry about Coles pricing. Picture: TikTok/@totalllyavalon

She bought two cucumbers and a handful of other items for $60. Picture: TikTok/@totalllyavalon

Many social media users weren’t surprised by the prices or Avalon’s anger.

“Coles and Woolworths know of the cucumber salad trend,” one social media user said.

Another complained: “Imagine being in Tassie where there’s no Aldi, no Costco and no Spudshed.”

One said: “I bought a single cabbage and it was $8!”

“I went to get rice, chicken and milk and it was $32,” another revealed.

Another revealed: “Hon I paid $18.89 per kg for grapes. I nearly had a heart attack as didn’t see the price tag.”

Not everyone has agreed with Avalon’s take on the situation, however.

“It’s mind boggling to me that people are upset that I was not happy with the price of cucumbers instead of agreeing with me that the prices are outrageous at the moment,” she said.

“The comments are very divided with some agreeing with me and others sharing their experience as well, others arguing about what’s in season and what’s not and others are mad that I even made the video to begin with!”

A Coles spokesperson responded to Avalon’s video.

“We are working harder than ever to keep prices affordable for Australian households but the price of fresh fruit and vegetables, such as the cucumbers in this video, is determined by market pricing which varies throughout the year due to seasonal weather conditions, as well as supply and demand. We work closely with our growers to ensure a fair market comparable price is provided to them, while providing value for our customers,” the spokesperson said.

“We are continually looking for ways to lower the cost of groceries and invest in value through campaigns like Great Value Hands Down and we also offer thousands of weekly specials. Customers looking to save can also buy from our popular Coles ‘I’m Perfect’ range if they don’t mind not so perfect looking produce that still has the same nutritional value and great taste.”

Avalon was shocked by the reaction. Picture: Instagram/@totalluavalon

Avalon’s frustration — along with that of many others in her comment section — comes after the Coles Group announced its revenue increased by 4.4 per cent for the year to $43.6 billion.

The results encompass the Coles Group stable, including the Coles and Coles Local stores, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars.

“There have been a number of challenges throughout the year, including changing customer behaviour, increased external scrutiny and cost inflation,” chief executive Leah Weckert wrote in the results.

The results encompass the Coles Group stable, including the Coles and Coles Local stores, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor Market and Vintage Cellars.

Household financial pressure was “front of mind”, Ms Weckert said.

Coles reduced prices on “hundreds” of essential and popular items and expanded how and when people collect Flybuys points, she said.

For every dollar a customer spends, Coles makes less than three cents, the results show.

“Supermarket price inflation” in the past year fell to 2.5 per cent, down from 6.7 per cent the year before, Coles says.

Originally published as Melbourne woman angry over cost of nine Coles items