Hawthorn Coles Local supermarket set to switch up self check-out payments
A brand new Coles supermarket in Melbourne’s east is set to act as a blueprint which could change the way Aussies grocery shop forever. Take a look inside the futuristic new store.
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A new Coles Local supermarket in Hawthorn is set to be the first in Australia to only accept card payments at self check-outs.
In a move designed to speed up the shopping experience for customers, the cashless check-outs are part of an increasing trend towards credit card only purchasing, particularly in light of COVID-19.
Head of Coles Local Michael Fahd says the card-only check-outs are in response to customer shopping habits in the area.
“I see us going more towards a cashless environment. COVID has put that on steroids,” he said.
The new Coles Local, to open today on Glenferrie Rd, will also be home to more than 1500 new products with an emphasis on health, wellbeing, fresh and gourmet food.
That includes the first dog ice cream bar and a wall of gourmet dog treats that can be selected in the same way you can scoop and pay for items such as nuts and dried fruit.
“The irresistible icy offering includes vanilla berry or vanilla bean cones and is in response to new Coles Local data showing the pet food category has experienced double-digit growth year-on-year,” Mr Fahd said.
Famous Melbourne patisserie Brunetti is also supplying the new store, the first time the iconic bakery’s treats have been available outside their own cafes.
“Brunetti has been heavily impacted by COVID-19 with the reduction of 90 per cent of its revenue,” Brunetti’s owner Yuri Angele said.
“We have had to make some significant adjustments to our manufacturing capacities. Previously, Brunetti relied solely on its retail stores to generate income and this is the first time that we have pivoted our retail strategy to sell our products outside of our stores.”
The expanded convenience offering includes an extensive vegan and vegetarian range, Japanese mochi ice cream, self-serve barista-quality coffee from DC coffee roasters, a cinema-style candy bar and more than 350 lunch and dinner options that customers can prepare in 30 minutes or less.
The store is just the third example of the new supermarket format tailored specifically to the needs of local customers, and incorporates a range of environmental initiatives to make it the most sustainable Coles supermarket in Australia.
The store features free recycled customer carry boxes in place of bags, a dedicated eco-friendly product section, a zero edible food waste policy, reduced plastic packaging on fresh products, energy-efficient doors on fridges and team member uniforms made from 65 per cent recycled bottles.
The recently-opened St Kilda Coles Local has been voted the best Australian supermarket and has made it into the top 30 supermarkets in the world.
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