Coles responds to shopper’s scathing rant about price of fruit

The retailer has replied after an angry customer accused the supermarket of “daylight robbery” following a recent price increase.

A Coles shoppper is copping backlash after complaining about the price of a grocery staple – prompting the supermarket to explain the reason the product costs so much.

Rachael Arahill, a swimwear designer from Byron Bay, was so shocked by the price of strawberries during her recent shop, she took to social media to blast the supermarket.

In the clip, she accuses the retailer of “daylight robbery” after spotting a 350g punnet was priced at $9.50, stating “Coles has lost its mind”.

But Ms Arahill’s gripe fell flat among Aussies who pointed out her rage was ill-placed as strawberries are currently out of season.

“What the actual hell, I came into Coles to get some strawberries, and please look at the prices,” she said in a video shared on TikTok.

“Are they having a laugh?

“Nine dollars fifty for some strawberries. Are they kidding?”

But her rant backfired after Coles issued a statement explaining the reason for the higher-than-normal prices.

“Prices on fresh produce will change due to seasonal growing conditions and in the case of strawberries, we are in between seasons therefore, we aren’t seeing peak growing conditions,” a spokesperson told news.com.au.

“As the weather warms up and volumes of strawberries increase by around July to September, we will see the price of strawberries come down again.

“Customers can still find great value on other fruit at the moment, such navel oranges and pink lady apples.”

Rachael Arahill wasn’t happy with the price of strawberries during a recent Coles trip. Picture: TikTok/@shellandshore

But many pointed out the fruit is out of season, making it more expensive. Picture: TikTok/@shellandshore

Aussies didn’t go lightly on Ms Arahill, suggesting she educate herself on seasonal produce in order to get the best prices and deals.

“They are out of season babe. In summer we get them for $2.50-3 bucks a punnet, sometimes even cheaper,” one wrote.

“Fairly standard prices for out of season strawberries. In a few months they will be in season again, it happens twice a year in Australia, and they get down to around $1.50 a punnet. This isn’t something unusual,” another agreed.

As one commented: “Come back in summer when they are all $2 and do a nice review for them.”

Strawberries are grown continuously throughout the year in Australia, with crops generally coming from farms in Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, southern Western Australia and the Granite Belt in southeast Queensland during summer.

In winter, the majority is harvested on the Sunshine Coast and Perth.

While the video frustrated some, others shared tips to help other shoppers get the most out of their shop.

“I change my identity with food on the weekly if it’s too expensive I’m changing the trajectory,” one said.

“I buy frozen berries instead. Berries are so expensive otherwise,” another agreed.

Despite Ms Arahill’s mistake, there were plenty who agreed, claiming supermarket prices are “extortionate”.

“My wages haven’t gone up, but everything else has,” vented one.

“Madness isn’t it!” another remarked.

As one shared: “They are out of season so a price hike not surprised but that is atrocious.”

It’s not the first time shoppers have shared their frustrations at out-of-season produce, with Aussies blasting supermarkets last year over the “ridiculous” price of fruit.