Australia’s two supermarket giants have made changes to their paid subscription memberships, meaning shoppers will now pay more for the same service.
Coles hikes minimum order value for free delivery
From September 9, Coles Plus subscribers will have to spend 50% more to qualify for free delivery. Previously, shoppers had to spend a minimum of $50 for free home delivery. Now, you’ll need to fork out at least $75, or pay up to $12 per order for delivery.
A Coles spokesperson told Canstar the change would help the supermarket continue to run its home delivery service.
“We know our members value the convenience of having their groceries delivered, the flexibility to plan ahead and the chance to get more from their shop through Flybuys,” they said.
“This change will help us continue offering free delivery while giving members plenty of ways to save time, shop more easily and get more value every week.”
Coles has also announced it is changing the name of its subscription service from Coles Plus to Coles Plus Delivery.
The service will cost you $19 a month, or $199 for an annual subscription.
This is the second time Coles has increased service fees this year. In May, the supermarket announced it was increasing its flat-rate bagging fee from $1.50 to $2 for both click-and-collect and delivery orders.
Woolies waves goodbye to annual subscription option
Woolworths’ Everyday Extra customers have also seen changes to their memberships recently. Last month, Woolies announced it was ditching its annual subscription plan from July 31, which offered a $14 saving compared to paying monthly.
Previously, customers could sign up for a $70 annual plan or a monthly subscription of $7 per month. Shoppers who enjoyed the set-and-forget and savings of the annual subscription will be moved to the monthly plan when their current subscription period expires.
This change follows the price hike of Woolies’ Delivery Unlimited service back in June.
What you can do to help your grocery budget from increasing
While you can’t stop supermarkets from changing subscription benefits or increasing prices, there are ways you can help keep your grocery budget in check.
- Make sure you’re getting the most from supermarket memberships: The benefits you signed up for receive aren't fixed. Given the recent changes to both Coles' and Woolies' programs, check you're still getting value from your membership fee.
- Change where and how you shop: If you’ve stuck to the same supermarket chain out of convenience or loyalty, it might be time to make a switch. Compare the cost of your groceries at multiple grocery stores to ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
- Check catalogues and restocking times: Utilising sales and discounts can help shrink your grocery bill. Learn when your local supermarket restocks its shelves for the best markdowns and check catalogues to make the most of sales.
