Coles confirms ‘cost-of-living trend’ is taking over supermarket aisles

A once tiny section in the supermarket has exploded in popularity, with Coles aisles overflowing in new products due to a cost-of-living trend.

Coles has revealed a cost-of-living “trend” has seen an explosion of international foods filling its aisles.

The retailer’s stores are now offering a larger selection of popular produce from a number of different countries, including Japan, India, Thailand, Mexico, Italy, the US and the UK.

With an increased offering, the once small international section is now taking over the supermarket’s aisles.

Photos show “exciting” items such as Ireland’s cult “Tayto” chips, Cadbury Wispa bars from the UK and even cans of Warheads Sour Apple Soda – imported from the US – displayed on many Coles aisle endcaps.

Coles has confirmed the cost-of-living crisis has created a ‘clear trend’ in its supermarkets. Picture: AngeEats for news.com.au

The retailer is now stocking heaps more international items. Picture: AngeEats for news.com.au

The food comes from around the world, including Japan, India, Thailand, Mexico, Italy, America and the UK. Picture: AngeEats for news.com.au

“Over the past 12 to 18 months, we have seen a clear trend of customers eating out less due to cost-of-living pressures,” a Coles spokesperson told news.com.au.

“With a transition back to more cooking and enjoying meals at home, we’ve seen the rise of a ‘fake-away’, as customers opt for home-cooked takeaway options.

“We want to help inspire our customers to experiment with, and enjoy, new food experiences at home and they can find a diverse range of ingredients to help them recreate recipes inspired by various global cuisines.”

The new goodies on offer are delighting shoppers, with Melbourne food blogger @AngeEats describing the Coles change as “unreal”.

“It gives people more option on top of groceries we already have on the shelves in Australia,” he told news.com.au.

“And for fans of trying foods you can’t usually buy here, I find when the supermarket has them, it’s often cheaper.

“For example, the Fanta cans and Dr Pepper from overseas can cost between $3 to $4 online, not including shipping.

“Coles have it for $2.70, and it can be as low as $2.30 if it’s on special.”

Fellow foodie @nectoriouspapi, who shares videos taste testing as many different edible items as possible, said it was great to see Coles step up its imported goods.

“With the rise of social media, we see all these great items being reviewed overseas and we want to try them too,” he told news.com.au.

“FOMO kicks in. Even if we just try them once out of curiosity.

“People love seeing new and exciting things in the shelf rather than having to order online and pay much more for it.”

Food blogger Ange Eats said the items are cheaper when sold in supermarkets. Picture: AngeEats for news.com.au

While Nectoriouspapi said his favourite international item were these Mexican chips. Picture: AngeEats for news.com.au

Both men have amassed a large following on TikTok and recently launched the Three Food Guys Podcast alongside Dub Eats Everything,

Recently Nectorious shared a video detailing the latest addition to the Coles’ international section with his almost 60,000 followers, telling news.com.au Mexico’s Takis Tortilla Chips are among his top picks.

“People who have moved here from overseas want a taste of home, it’s so good to see,” he added.

“We all just want convenience too, to be able to turn up to their local and pick up a product to enjoy it straight away.”

Woolworths has also increased its foreign food options. Picture: news.com.au

The supermarket said it comes after an increase in ‘demand’ for international foods in Australia. Picture: news.com.au

Woolworths also recently expanded its international food offerings, citing a need for the supermarket giant “to evolve and tailor the international range based on the demographics of each local community and changing customer demand”.

“We’ve seen the demand for popular international foods rapidly accelerate over recent years,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“Our International Food team works hard to keep up with emerging food trends to better understand the needs of our customers.”

It’s estimated there are 26.6 million people currently in the country. This is made up of 18.5 million people born in Australia and 8.2 million people who were born elsewhere, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Stats also show the proportion of Australia’s population born overseas is growing, increasing to 30.7 per cent in 2023, up from 29.5 per cent the year before.