Coles supermarket milks high dairy prices as cost of living continues to dig in

Coles supermarket has been called out on its decision to hike its own brand milk prices causing consternation amongst consumers who continue to face soaring living costs.

The supermarket giant has been criticised for hiking its Coles milk range by 10 cents a litre. With immediate effect three-litre cartons of milk now cost $4.80, two-litre cartons cost $3.30 and a one-litre carton costs $1.70.

The price hike means that the cost of three litres of Coles brand milk has gone up by 80 cents in a year, making this a 20 per cent increase.

Taking to the Markdown Addicts Australia Facebook page, one shrewd customer posted that milk had gone up again, sparking widespread backlash from other consumers.

“It doesn’t seem like that long ago it was $3,” said one unhappy buyer.

Another added, “Soon be cheap(er) to own a cow.”

A third hoped the price markup would go straight to the dairy farmers.

Speaking to 7News.com.au, a Coles spokesperson admitted that increasing the prices was a tough call.

“We have reluctantly raised the price of Coles Own Brand milk by 10 cents a litre due to ongoing cost increases in the supply chain,” the spokesperson said.

“We don’t take the decision to raise prices lightly, particularly because of the increased cost-of-living pressures faced by our customers.”

Meanwhile, Woolworths supermarket came under fire last week for putting a limit on in-store cash withdrawals. 

In response to customer demand, the supermarket giant has reduced their cash withdrawal limit from $500 to $200.

A Woolworths spokesperson told 7News.com.au in a separate interview, “From mid-September, we will be reducing the limit of cash customers can withdraw from our stores per transaction,”

“This is due to the lack of cash being used in transactions, with the majority of customers opting for card-only transactions.”

Woolworths’ move received a mixed reaction from the public with some supporting the change while others said it would make life difficult for seniors.

“Not good for older people as they don’t have cards, they only carry cash,” one person wrote.

“In rural towns it’s the only way to get cash for most now, as banks have closed and ATMs are gone.”

“Many people don’t use cash these days and therefore don’t withdraw cash so it is not surprising that the demand for cash withdrawals has decreased.”

The Woolworths spokesperson acknowledged that cash still remained an important payment option for some customers which is why the supermarket will continue to offer the withdrawal service.

Currently, shoppers can withdraw cash without making a purchase however this will change in October when it will be necessary to buy something before making a withdrawal. There will be no minimum spending limits for in-store withdrawals though.