Coles removes charges hitting customers for ordering online

SUPERMARKET giant Coles has reversed its controversial decision to slug customers additional charges on many items just for buying groceries online.

SUPERMARKET giant Coles has reversed its decision to slug customers additional charges on many items just for buying groceries online.

Shoppers looking for convenience and ordering goods with a click of a mouse instead of visiting a supermarket are being stung as much as 10 per cent extra on thousands items, News Corp analysis revealed this month.

But shortly after this investigation revealed the price discrepancies, Coles’ managing director John Durkan said they have changed this.

Now all shoppers will be charge the same cost regardless of whether they are buying instore or online.

The price changes have impacted thousands of grocery lines and has now been completed in time for a fresh start to the new financial year.

MORE: Buying groceries online stings customers

MORE: Customers hit with higher charges at the supermarket

Coles managing director John Durkan said all their prices on groceries are now the same regardless of whether consumers are buying in store or online.

“We have brought all of our online prices into line with our supermarkets, so bricks and mortar pricing,’' Mr Durkan said.

“So now we have effectively national pricing if you are an online customer or a store customer.”

Consumer groups warned it was a case of “buyer beware” when shopping online and they could be paying more just for ordering groceries on their store’s app or via their online site.

The News Corp findings revealed customers ordering online were paying up to 10 per cent more on items such as coffee, flour, biscuits, yoghurt and crisps.

Mr Durkan said online shopping equates for about 3 per cent of all their supermarket sales.

Online shopping makes up about three per cent of Coles supermarket sales.

Rival supermarket Woolworths does not charge customers extra for ordering groceries online.

Consumer group Choice’s spokeswoman Erin Turner said grocery prices are one of the “top cost-of-living concerns.”

“It’s great to see a major brand respond to customer needs and look at price, especially price disparities that exist between a storefront and online,’’ she said.

But these charges are not the only costs that have hit customers — rival supermarket giant Woolworths has removed single-use grey plastic bags from all their stores in Vic, NSW, Qld and WA — this follows behind all other states and territories.

Customers will be charged extra at the checkout if they require a reusable plastic bag at a cost of 15 cents, or from 99 for a foldable bag.

Coles will introduce single-use plastic bans in their stores in the locations from July 1.

The move has been implemented for environmental reasons but has been met with anger from many shoppers around the country.

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