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Coles vs Woolworths comparison Australia

Coles vs Woolworths

Weekly specials, half price deals, loyalty programs and online shopping compared

Coles vs Woolworths at a Glance

 ColesWoolworths
Store typeSupermarketsSupermarkets
New catalogue / salesEvery Wednesday (Wed–Tue)
Next: Wed 21 Oct		Every Wednesday (Wed–Tue)
Next: Wed 21 Oct
StoresMore than 800 supermarkets in every state and territoryAround 1,000 supermarkets plus Woolworths Metro stores
Specials weekWednesday to TuesdayWednesday to Tuesday
Loyalty programFlybuys (points, activate & spend offers)Everyday Rewards (points, boosters, member prices)
Online shoppingHome delivery and Click & CollectHome delivery, Pick up and Direct to boot
Liquor partnerLiquorland (Coles Liquor)BWS and Dan Murphy’s (Endeavour Group)
Founded1914, Collingwood, Melbourne1924, Pitt Street, Sydney
Full store guideColes Catalogue →Woolworths Catalogue →

Store numbers, programs and policies change over time. Always check the official Coles and Woolworths websites for current details.

Latest Coles Deals & Specials

Fresh Coles deals, discounts and promo offers, updated every few hours.

Latest deal

Deals may have ended, be targeted to some customers or limited to some states. Always check the price in store or online before you buy.

Latest Woolworths Deals & Specials

Fresh Woolworths deals, discounts and promo offers, updated every few hours.

Latest deal

Deals may have ended, be targeted to some customers or limited to some states. Always check the price in store or online before you buy.

Coles vs Woolworths: Which Supermarket Is Better for You?

Coles and Woolworths are Australia’s two biggest supermarket chains, and most Australians live close to at least one of each. They sell a very similar range of fresh food, pantry staples, frozen meals, drinks, household products, health and beauty, baby and pet items, and both run a weekly catalogue full of half price specials. Because their prices and specials move every week, the smartest way to shop is not to pick one store forever, but to compare the two catalogues and buy from whichever has the better deal on the products you use most.

Weekly specials and half price deals

Both supermarkets start new specials on Wednesday and finish them on Tuesday. Each week a different set of branded products drops to half price, from coffee and cereal to laundry liquid and nappies. Coles and Woolworths often discount competing brands in the same category in the same week, so if your favourite coffee is full price at one store, a similar brand may be half price at the other. Stocking up on long-life items at half price and waiting for the next cycle is one of the easiest ways to cut your grocery bill at either store.

Flybuys vs Everyday Rewards

Coles uses Flybuys, while Woolworths uses Everyday Rewards. Both programs are free and give points on eligible purchases that turn into dollars off a future shop, plus personalised bonus offers you activate in the app. Everyday Rewards is also used at BIG W, and Woolworths shows some member-only prices for Everyday Rewards members. If you already collect points with one program at a petrol station, bank or other partner, that can tip the balance towards one supermarket.

Own brands and unit prices

Both chains have large own-brand ranges at budget, standard and premium levels. The fairest way to compare them is the unit price on the shelf ticket, shown per 100g, per litre or per item. A half price national brand is not always cheaper than a full price own-brand product, so check the unit price before you add it to the trolley.

Online shopping and delivery

Coles Online and Woolworths Online both offer home delivery and click and collect, and Woolworths also offers Direct to boot at many stores, where staff load your order straight into your car. Delivery fees, minimum spends and time slots depend on your area, and some online prices can differ slightly from your local store.

The Verdict

For most households the best result comes from using both. Check the Coles catalogue and the Woolworths catalogue each Wednesday, stock up on what is half price, and use the loyalty program where you already earn the most points. For everyday staples at consistently low prices, it is also worth comparing ALDI vs Coles.

Coles vs Woolworths – Questions & Answers

Is Coles or Woolworths cheaper?

Neither is always cheaper. Both supermarkets change their specials every Wednesday and rotate half price deals, so the cheaper store depends on what is in your trolley that week. Comparing both catalogues and buying long-life items when they are half price usually saves the most.

Do Coles and Woolworths specials start on the same day?

Yes. Both the Coles and Woolworths catalogues start on Wednesday and run until the following Tuesday, which makes it easy to compare them side by side each week.

What is the difference between Flybuys and Everyday Rewards?

Flybuys is the loyalty program used at Coles and other partners, while Everyday Rewards is used at Woolworths, BIG W and partners. Both give points on eligible purchases and personalised bonus offers that you activate in the app before you shop.

Are the deals on this page checked?

Deals for both stores come from the OzBargain shopping community and are refreshed every few hours. Some may have ended or be limited to some states, so always confirm the price with the retailer before you buy.

See Each Store’s Catalogue

Coles Catalogue AustraliaColes CatalogueNext: Wed 21 Oct Woolworths Catalogue AustraliaWoolworths CatalogueNext: Wed 21 Oct

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