Coles has quietly lifted the price on an item all shoppers need
Customers of the major supermarket chain have complained a decision to increase prices on an everyday item is “Un Australian”.


News.com.au
October 14, 2026

Coles has increased the price of its shopping bags.

In a move that will frustrate shoppers, Coles has lifted the price of paper bags by 5c cents to 30c a bag.   :(

The cost of larger chipper bags has also gone from $4 to $4.20.

The increases come after Coles Group reported a $1.09bn profit after tax for the 2025-26 financial year.

Coles’ online flat fee for bags remains unchanged at $2.

Woolworths and Aldi paper shopping bags remain at 25c.

Shopping bags have increased by 5 cents per bag.

Frustrated shoppers took to social media, saying Coles must be doing it tough.

One person said it was “an Un Australian act”.

“Guess I gotta use my paper bags more sparingly,” said another.


One commenter said “they need to refuse entry unless got your shopping bags, help us out to remember to bring our own bags”.

“And ya walkout of the store and the freaking handles rip and ya shopping now on the carpark,” said another.   :(

Others said the move wasn’t a big deal.

“People crying over bags is pathetic,” one said.

“Deal with it or bring your own, it’s not hard,” said another.

In a brief statement, a Coles spokesperson said prices were changing on selected bags.

“We know value remains important to our customers, and we’ve worked to keep these increases as low as possible,” the spokesperson said.

“Unfortunately, from time to time, prices of individual products may need to increase due to changes in costs such as materials and transport.


“Customers can continue to bring their own reusable bags when shopping at Coles, and we encourage them to reuse bags wherever possible.”

Prior to 2018, the major supermarkets gave away single-use plastic bags for free to shoppers.

But in a move dubbed as more environmentally friendly, Aldi, Coles and Woolworths swapped from single-use plastic to reusable paper bags, which came at a cost for shoppers.

Man,
You post saddie faces over 5 cents.


Talk about a scarcity mindset   :D

I'm pretty sure WK was the one complaining about free shopping bags and demanding the supermarkets start charging people.

“And ya walkout of the store and the freaking handles rip and ya shopping now on the carpark,” said another.   :(

whiteknight wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 8:04am:

“And ya walkout of the store and the freaking handles rip and ya shopping now on the carpark,” said another.   :(

I always take 2 paper shopping bags with me - bought previously -
I only lightly load them and I have still had the bags break and
my shopping go all over the floor of the shopping center.

I found that frozen goods in cardboard containers have sharp edges and
when they start to un-thaw slightly they get wet and the edges easily
cut through the paper.

A massive 20% increase.

More reason for nationalising those 200+ colesworth shops.

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 8:14am:

A massive 20% increase. More reason for nationalising those 200+ colesworth shops.

Only communists nationalize private companies.   :o

Are you now or have you ever been -
a member of the communist party?

Bring your own non paper bags with thermal insulation or pay for crappy paper.

"The cost of larger chipper bags has also gone from $4 to $4.20."

What's a chipper bag?   :-/

EDIT: I guess it's a typo.  They meant to say chiller bag.

Bobby. wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 8:27am:

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 8:14am: A massive 20% increase. More reason for nationalising those 200+ colesworth shops. Only communists nationalize private companies.   :o Are you now or have you ever been - a member of the communist party?

Comrade Bobby, Australia is a communistic country.


Rare earths company could be nationalised as China-linked investors fail to divest

The Resources Minister Madeleine King says nationalising a Perth-based heavy rare earths company is an "option" for the government as China-linked investors continue to defy orders to divest from the strategically sensitive miner.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-14/federal-politics-resources-minister-open-nationalising-company/107266624

1947 Qantas and Banks (to merge into commonwealth bank) were nationalised.

1946 SA. Adelaide Electricity Supply Company into the Electricity Trust of South Australia.

2023, the ACT nationalised Calvary Hospital.

Telstra , rail and transport networks, NBN Co, Snowy Hydro, and Australia Post.

etc

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 9:15am:

Bobby. wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 8:27am: Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 8:14am: A massive 20% increase. More reason for nationalising those 200+ colesworth shops. Only communists nationalize private companies.   :o Are you now or have you ever been - a member of the communist party? Comrade Bobby, Australia is a communistic country. Rare earths company could be nationalised as China-linked investors fail to divest The Resources Minister Madeleine King says nationalising a Perth-based heavy rare earths company is an "option" for the government as China-linked investors continue to defy orders to divest from the strategically sensitive miner. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-14/federal-politics-resources-minister-open-nationalising-company/107266624 1947 Qantas and Banks (to merge into commonwealth bank) were nationalised. 1946 SA. Adelaide Electricity Supply Company into the Electricity Trust of South Australia. 2023, the ACT nationalised Calvary Hospital. Telstra , rail and transport networks, NBN Co, Snowy Hydro, and Australia Post. etc

Comrade  Ai_Took_Our_Jobs   is a communist.      :o

No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby.

It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism.

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 9:34am:

No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby. It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism.

So you're at least a cultural Marxist?

https://www.ozpolitic.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1660808671/2415

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 9:34am:

No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby. It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism.

It is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war.

Personally I put my shopping in cooler bags. They last.

freediver wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 11:10am:

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 9:34am: No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby. It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism. It is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war.

What !

Poverty: Approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $1.90 to $2.15 per day.

Hunger: An estimated 645 million to 673 million people faced chronic hunger in 2024 and 2025, representing about 8% of the global population.

Food Insecurity: A broader measure of lack of access to adequate food affects nearly 2.3 billion people (roughly 28% of the global population) who experience moderate or severe food insecurity.

Affordability: More than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy, nutritious diet.


Perhaps you mean the top 1%, lifting them out of poverty ?


As for war, the energy wars waging currently are to force all people to pay more for energy, food, debt, etc.  Making resources more scares so to increase profit for the few is because of capitalism.

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 2:06pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 11:10am: Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 9:34am: No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby. It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism. It is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. What ! Poverty: Approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $1.90 to $2.15 per day. Hunger: An estimated 645 million to 673 million people faced chronic hunger in 2024 and 2025, representing about 8% of the global population. Food Insecurity: A broader measure of lack of access to adequate food affects nearly 2.3 billion people (roughly 28% of the global population) who experience moderate or severe food insecurity. Affordability: More than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy, nutritious diet. Perhaps you mean the top 1%, lifting them out of poverty ? As for war, the energy wars waging currently are to force all people to pay more for energy, food, debt, etc.  Making resources more scares so to increase profit for the few is because of capitalism.

Whine all you want, but unless you can come up with a system that works better, it is still the most successful economic model the world has ever seen.

You won't eradicate "poverty" until you stop defining it as having fewer luxuries than someone else.


Quote:

Hunger: An estimated 645 million to 673 million people faced chronic hunger

You do realise that most of the world does not live under capitalism right? As recently as about 1960, the Chinese Communist Party actually starved about 50 million people to death.

I've been using the same two reusable shopping bags for about two years now.

They will only be replaced when the bottoms fall out or the handles break off.

Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22^nd, 2026 at 2:06pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 11:10am: Hung Uncut Black Muslim Jew wrote on Oct 22nd, 2026 at 9:34am: No idea who you are talking about ... Yet you say it as if it's an insult Comrade Bobby. It's a bigger insult to be aligned with the failed greed based economic model, capitalism. It is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. What ! Poverty: Approximately 700 million people live in extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $1.90 to $2.15 per day. Hunger: An estimated 645 million to 673 million people faced chronic hunger in 2024 and 2025, representing about 8% of the global population. Food Insecurity: A broader measure of lack of access to adequate food affects nearly 2.3 billion people (roughly 28% of the global population) who experience moderate or severe food insecurity. Affordability: More than 2.8 billion people are unable to afford a healthy, nutritious diet. Perhaps you mean the top 1%, lifting them out of poverty ? As for war, the energy wars waging currently are to force all people to pay more for energy, food, debt, etc.  Making resources more scares so to increase profit for the few is because of capitalism.

Dream on Noddy........

The thing that has lifted more Chinese out of poverty & created a bigger middle class in China ...has been a market-driven economic model frequently described as state capitalism or "socialism with Chinese characteristics"—helped lift over 800 million Chinese people out of extreme poverty starting from the late 1970s.


You talk out of your southern gate.

Quote:

Whine all you want, but unless you can come up with a system that works better, it is still the most successful economic model the world has ever seen.

Supplying facts is not whinging.

'Works better ' is relative. Environmental degradation, economic inequality, economic instability, and social costs.

Capitalism is a short term economic model since it is a vampire model. Stealing wealth from people, from the natural world, and giving it to a tiny group.

As we stand on the precipice of the the collapse due to the inability of servicing unsustainable debt, this will be the end of capitalism. All this pretend paper wealth vanishing in a moment.

...

If you own anything acquired through debt, that includes real estate, be aware, this too should be included in the list of pretend paper wealth.

https://thegreattaking.com/read-online-or-download

Quote:

'Works better ' is relative. Environmental degradation, economic inequality, economic instability, and social costs.

Yes. All of this is better than starving to death on an equal basis and in a stable, consistent manner.

Communism was hardly good for the environment. All the relative environmental benefits of communism can be attributed to killing lots of people and keeping them all poor.

Staving is not the antonym to capitalism.


If AI doesn't extinct us, then collective ownership of AI will finance the human population, when our human labour is inefficient.

How will capitalism finance the human race when our labour is no longer used ... starvation ?

Quote:

Staving is not the antonym to capitalism.

I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said:

Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war.

Whine all you want, but unless you can come up with a system that works better, it is still the most successful economic model the world has ever seen.


Quote:

How will capitalism finance the human race when our labour is no longer used

You mean we won't have to work any more? I guess from your efforts to criticism capitalism you can find a problem with anything, no atter how good.

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 10:42am:

Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war.

:-/  Not so sure about that.

greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 10:49am:

freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that.

When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other?

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 11:25am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:49am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that. When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other?

What evidence do you have to support your argument?

greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 11:32am:

freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:25am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:49am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that. When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other? What evidence do you have to support your argument?

Your inability to even think of a war between two economically liberal countries.

Global Capitalism Has Become Dependent on War-Making to Sustain Itself

Understanding the Link Between Capitalism and War

Quote:

Global Capitalism Has Become Dependent on War-Making to Sustain Itself

LOL. No it hasn't. Get your head out. Just because you can find it on the internet does not make it true.

How many economic commentators do you see claiming that Iran or Ukraine are good for the global economy?

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 11:34am:

greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:32am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:25am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:49am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that. When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other? What evidence do you have to support your argument? Your inability to even think of a war between two economically liberal countries.

How does the US and Israel score in the Freeeeeedom index these days, FD?

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 12:22pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:34am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:32am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:25am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:49am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that. When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other? What evidence do you have to support your argument? Your inability to even think of a war between two economically liberal countries. How does the US and Israel score in the Freeeeeedom index these days, FD?

Not sure. Do you think they are at war with each other?

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 1:03pm:

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 12:22pm: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:34am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:32am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 11:25am: greggerypeccary wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:49am: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 10:42am: Quote: Staving is not the antonym to capitalism. I didn't say it was. For the confused, this is what I actually said: Capitalism is the most successful economic model the world has ever seen. Nothing else has ever come close to raising people's standard of living to the same extent. It has also significantly reduced war. :-/  Not so sure about that. When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other? What evidence do you have to support your argument? Your inability to even think of a war between two economically liberal countries. How does the US and Israel score in the Freeeeeedom index these days, FD? Not sure. Do you think they are at war with each other?

No, I think they're invading everybody else.

When was the last time the economically liberal countries invaded everybody?

Quote:

No, I think they're invading everybody else.

Who are they invading?

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 1:55pm:

Quote: No, I think they're invading everybody else. Who are they invading?

Shithole countries, I think. Mind you, they're not ruling out Greenland and the 51st state.

You?

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 4:37pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 1:55pm: Quote: No, I think they're invading everybody else. Who are they invading? Shithole countries, I think. Mind you, they're not ruling out Greenland and the 51st state. You?

Who are they invading?

"When was the last time that two economically liberal countries went to war against each other? "

They don't - anyone with any sense knows you get more out of trading than you do out of going to war to grab resources and then try to totally control them and then production...

That is one reason I say that China will not go to war - even though there are some serious power divisions between its head and honchoes and the military etc... each still retaining the idea that they are some Warlord over their own domain..

The government there will not do a Putin and do a grab - and lose at huge cost - but it is possible that a rogue general or such may foment a war ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BI7sLkPuKwg

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 5:22pm:

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 4:37pm: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 1:55pm: Quote: No, I think they're invading everybody else. Who are they invading? Shithole countries, I think. Mind you, they're not ruling out Greenland and the 51st state. You? Who are they invading?

You don't know? How peculiar.

Mind you, you've always been a tad shy when it comes to Israel and Uncle, FD. The Saudis too.

Do you think you might know and just don't want to say?

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 5:33pm:

freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 5:22pm: Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 4:37pm: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 1:55pm: Quote: No, I think they're invading everybody else. Who are they invading? Shithole countries, I think. Mind you, they're not ruling out Greenland and the 51st state. You? Who are they invading? You don't know? How peculiar. Mind you, you've always been a tad shy when it comes to Israel and Uncle, FD. The Saudis too. Do you think you might know and just don't want to say?

So you don't want to say either?

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 5:34pm:

Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 5:33pm: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 5:22pm: Enquiring mind wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 4:37pm: freediver wrote on Oct 23rd, 2026 at 1:55pm: Quote: No, I think they're invading everybody else. Who are they invading? Shithole countries, I think. Mind you, they're not ruling out Greenland and the 51st state. You? Who are they invading? You don't know? How peculiar. Mind you, you've always been a tad shy when it comes to Israel and Uncle, FD. The Saudis too. Do you think you might know and just don't want to say? So you don't want to say either?

I'll answer your questions when you answer mine, FD.

Who's Uncle and Israel invading?

Do you mean the US? They are not currently invading anyone.

freediver wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 6:03pm:

Do you mean the US? They are not currently invading anyone.

Well, there you go then. Why didn't you just say that to begin with?

Aren't you cunning?

Carl D wrote on Oct 23^rd, 2026 at 8:05am:

I've been using the same two reusable shopping bags for about two years now. They will only be replaced when the bottoms fall out or the handles break off.

Same here Carl. Except I’ve had mine for more than 2 years, more than 5 in fact.

They are nylon bags that wrap up easily stored in my handbag and I wash them fortnightly, which they dry so quickly.

And if seams come undone I sew them up.

Sometimes I might have more shopping items to fit in the bags, and I’m offered the .25c paper bag.
I say no, I will just put them in the trolley loose.
When I get to the car, I usually have another type of bag I can put them in.
Imagine how much I’ve saved at a minimum of .50c per week.
That’s $26 per annum x 5 years = $130 …. Better in my pocket than theirs!
Shopping is a very strategical and mathematical venture.
Look at that $26 per annum multiplied by … let’s say 1 million shoppers.
That’s $26,000.00 supermarket gets.
I also have an insulated bag in the car for cold stuff to keep cool on hot days while driving home.

Buy you're double thick (and strong) bags from Aldi for 99c.  Woolies and Coles charge $4 for bags that are not as good.

Keep them in your car and just keep reusing them.  I've had mine for years and they show absolutely no sign of deteriorating.

They clean well and fold up well.

I like the Wollies bags. They have a shoulder sling as well, which is useful.

I bought a bunch of those $1 Woolworths reusable bags from years ago. I just put the groceries back in the shopping trolley. Then I take the trolley down to the car, where I bag the items into the bags I have left in the car. Or, alternatively, I just take the reusable bags up with me into the store and let the cashier bag the items there. Either way, I am not paying 25 cents for paper bags that only get recycled after one use.