Massive win for Coles as it takes out 11 categories in Product of the Year Awards

Coles has won a slew of prizes as its home-brand products impressed judges at the Australian Product of the Year Awards.

Coles has taken out a whopping 11 categories in 2023’s Product of the Year Awards as voted by 5000 shoppers.

The Aussie supermarket giant won a third of all the prizes on offer.

The Product of the Year awards is in its 14th year and is the largest consumer-based awards program in the world.

Categories include cakes/cupcakes, convenience meals, frozen chips, mattresses over and under $1500, plant-based meal alternatives and non-alcoholic spirits.

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Coles won a third of the Product of the Year awards. Picture: Supplied

Rival Woolworths won five out of the 33 categories for its home-brand products.

Coles took out the healthy snacks/lunch box category with its Coles 90-Calorie Fibre Bakes

Choc Brownie five-pack, as well as the ice cream spot for the Coles Salted Caramel Vienna Sticks five-pack and the soups category with Coles Flavour Creations Homestyle 8 Veg and Chicken Soup.

Coles general manager own brand Charlotte Rhodes said: “Coles works closely with some of Australia’s best producers to create great value, new and innovative products to inspire customers and help us fulfil our strategy to make Coles an own brand powerhouse.

“Our customers are at the heart of what we do at Coles, and we are proud to be recognised by them in this year’s Product of the Year Awards – particularly across so many categories which means our customers can pick up an award-winning product in every aisle from delicious ice cream, healthy convenience meals to 100 per cent Aussie meat,” she said.

“We are committed to helping Aussie household budgets go further by offering top quality products at affordable prices through our Own Brand and exclusive products.”

Product of the Year director Sarah Connelly said that the rising cost of living was responsible for home-brand products being so dominant, with the average Aussie spending $200 a week on groceries.

All the winners from the Product of the Year Awards. Picture: Supplied

Ms Connelly said: “The rising cost of living has definitely changed the FMCG landscape, with affordability now the most important consideration for Aussies making their weekly grocery trip. Typically, during a recession, you will see many people cut back on holidays and indulgent expenses like eating out, but interestingly, the data indicates something else is happening entirely.

“Only a third of Aussies reported that they cut back on splurge-like expenses such as dinners and food delivery, instead opting to switch to cheaper brands, buy less groceries or reject their favourite brands altogether.

“After extended Covid-19 lockdowns, you can tell that people are much more willing to sacrifice their household goods if it means getting the opportunity to go out, socialise and enjoy all the things they’ve missed on in recent years.

Coles wins 11 categories in Product of the Year Awards Picture: NCA NewsWire / James Gourley

“In addition, the POY winners’ trends are also showing that health and wellbeing is still at the forefront of minds post Covid-19, with 10 of the 33 winners sitting within the health, pharmacy and cleanliness categories including products from Hydralyte, Voltaren, BioSLIM and Inner Health.”

Brands such as Moccona, Lyre’s, Birds Eye and Colgate returned to the list triumphantly.

Meanwhile, Roll’d Vietnamese Sauces and Emma Sleep Company placed on the list for the first time.