If you shop for supplies at Coles and other supermarkets, here’s some great news! Purchase caps have started to be lifted on selected everyday staples.
Coles Aspley and Other Branches
Coles has lifted purchase limits on all types of meat, UHT and fresh milk, tissues, and nappies.
Meanwhile, the company currently still has a 1 pack/shopper limit on toilet paper and paper towels; and 2 packs/shopper on sugar, eggs, canned tomatoes, flour, pasta, dry rice, frozen vegetables and desserts, liquid soap, antibacterial wipes, and hand sanitiser.
Individual stores may still impose additional limits on other items as the need arises, so shoppers should check in-store announcements or signages for related updates.
Community Hour
At Coles, weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. is designated as the Community Hour. During this time, vulnerable shoppers who require assistance and access will be allowed to complete their shopping ahead of the regular store clientele.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays are for elderly customers, their carers, other people needing special assistance, and the friends and neighbours of those who need assistance. Any of the following government-issued identification cards must be presented upon entry:
- Commonwealth Seniors Health Card
- Health Care Card
- Seniors Card
- Disability Card
- Pensioner Concession Card
- Companion Card
Community Hour on Tuesdays and Thursdays are for emergency services and healthcare workers who:
- Can demonstrate they are registered with AHPRA;
- Have a workplace ID; or
- Are wearing their work uniform.
Regular customers may proceed with their shopping after Community Hour. Stores have the discretion to extend the time to enable Community Hour shoppers to complete their purchases.
Woolworths
At Woolworths, purchase caps have now been removed on all canned vegetables, tinned tomatoes, canned legumes, oats, long-life milk, serviettes, and baby care items, excluding wipes. This is a significant change from earlier this month when most products had a 2 pack/person limit. Caps at Woolies are constantly being updated, so it’s best to check their website for the latest details before going in to shop.
Aldi’s and IGA
Purchase limits at Aldi‘s seem to still be in place. Currently, there are caps on toilet paper (1 pack/shopper); flour, dry pasta, dry rice, eggs, tissues, and paper towels (2 packs/shopper); sugar, UHT milk, and microwavable rice (6 packs/shopper); and canned food (10 packs/shopper).
Interestingly, IGA maintains that caps are a store-based decision. Explaining that they seek to provide access to essential items for the local communities they serve, IGA stores have imposed limits on items with critically low inventory. The chain recently released a statement saying that limits are being maintained and updated on a store by store basis.
For more details on supermarket item limits, visit Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and IGA‘s websites.
