Latest news with #Coles
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
Deli worker lifts the lid on Coles' best-kept secret about its popular roast chicken: 'Not enough people know about it'
A Coles deli worker has lifted on the supermarket's best-kept secret about its fan-favourite roast chicken - and it's something not everyone knows. Ellie, from Adelaide, said shoppers are entitled to a free hot chook if there are none available for purchase before a certain time, as part of its supermarket policy. 'Not enough people know about this so I thought, I would let you in on the best deli secret there is,' she said in a now-viral video. 'If you come to Coles before 8pm and there are no chickens in our our chicken warmer you can get a free roast chicken on us. 'So our chicken promise is that we promise to always have a hot chicken ready for you but if you come to the store before 8pm and the oven isn't broken, then you are entitled to a free chicken ticket. 'I know, it's pretty cool.' The free roast chicken policy is available in most stores across Australia - but the time to claim the voucher depends on your location, as trading hours vary between states and regions. If you ever come across an empty chicken warmer, and see a signage that reads 'Our Promise' at your local Coles store, it's best to ask a staff member for the voucher. 'It will say the times on the sign at your store,' she said. 'For mine it's between 9am-8pm.' However, the Coles employee said shoppers will only get the voucher if they specifically mention the free roast chicken promise. 'You have to ask (for the voucher) first, we don't offer, that's why it's a secret,' Ellie said. 'But if we do ask, we give you one of these vouchers, and you have a week to come and get a free chicken. 'Thought that you guys might want to know that.' After working at Coles for seven years, Ellie said she decided to share her all-time favourite deli hack as she noticed not every shopper knew. Her video has been viewed more than 850,000 times - with many saying they already knew about the policy as it's one of their favourite money-saving hacks. 'I used to purposely go to Coles at 7:30pm to get a voucher because my local Coles liked to clean and close early - so 90 per cent of the time they'd have no chickens left. It was a bit awkward when it was the same worker but they never said no to giving me a voucher,' one shared. Ellie, from Adelaide , said shoppers are entitled to a free hot chook if there are none available for purchase before a certain time, as part of its supermarket policy Meanwhile, many confessed they had no idea they could score a hot chook if there's none available certain times. 'I wish I had known about this sooner because the one where I live never has chickens at 6pm,' one revealed. 'I worked in the deli for four years, only about four people ever asked me for a hot chicken voucher within the four years as no one knew about this,' one former Coles employee revealed. 'Thank you, you're a life saver,' another added. However, not everyone was lucky to get a voucher. 'I went to Coles last night at 7.30pm and asked for the chickens and she said 'there's none left' and turned her back so must only be at select Coles,' one shared. 'I literally went into Coles for a hot chook at a reasonable hour and there were none and I asked someone walking past and she's like, "It's empty... Oh look they are cooking", and walked off,' another revealed.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Popular Australian supermarket staple at risk of global shortage - as shoppers brace for price hikes
Australians may soon be paying significantly more for black pepper as a global shortage threatens supermarket stocks. Industry experts are raising the alarm over the declining supplies, with poor weather conditions in key producing countries blamed for the crunch. A disappointing monsoon season across parts of Asia, where the bulk of the world's pepper is grown, has left crops underperforming, triggering concerns about future availability and price spikes. However, FEMAIL understands Aussie Coles and Woolworths currently have enough supply and no immediate concerns have been identified. 'Currently peppercorn prices are high due to lower crop yields in most tropical countries where pepper is grown,' Iah Hemphill, Managing Director of Australian spice company Herbie's Spices told FEMAIL. 'The flowers on pepper vines are naturally pollinated during the monsoon as water runs down the hermaphrodite flowers and fertilises them. 'Poor monsoons due to climate change mean less pollination and thus lower quantities of berries on each spike. Like all agricultural commodities, lower yields lead to higher prices.' Mr Hemphill explained that prices are expected to remain high until the next monsoon which will be between June and September in India and most tropical pepper producing countries. 'Given the time for harvesting, drying and marketing, then exporting, it will be unlikely to see prices coming down until early 2026. That of course assumes a good monsoon and a lack of global unrest!' he added. The International Pepper Community (IPC) has reported that global black pepper production is now 11 per cent lower than in 2020, pointing to a mix of extreme weather events and reduced investment in pepper farming. While some recovery efforts are underway in regions of India, including Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, analysts suggest any relief to the global supply chain is unlikely to be felt in the immediate future. Vietnam, the world's largest producer of black pepper, has already seen export prices surge to as much as USD $6.20 (AUD $9.54) per kilo - a dramatic 43 per cent jump from early 2023 levels. Closer to home, limited black pepper is grown in Far North Queensland, but not nearly enough to offset the global squeeze. But weather is not the only reason for the price hikes. 'Another possible cause of the increase in demand, and hence prices, may be a higher demand from manufacturers of turmeric supplements (anti-inflammatory). 'That is because the piperine in black pepper makes the curcumin in turmeric more bio-active,' said Mr Hemphill. 'There is no real substitute for the flavour of pepper, however consumers often find chilli powder to be a cheaper and definitely flavourful alternative.' In the meantime, shoppers looking to stock up without breaking the bank can still find budget-friendly options at their local supermarkets. Both Coles and Woolworths are offering refill bags of whole black peppercorns for $2.25 per 100g - though how long those prices will hold remains to be seen. Aldi shoppers can pick up 50g of black pepper in a grinder for $3.69. With pepper being a staple in most kitchens, Aussies are being urged to keep an eye on availability and consider stocking up (sensibly) before prices spike further.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Coles customers react to price of brand new dessert offering
Dessert lovers have been left baffled over the price of a brand new bakery item available at Coles, with some saying they 'cannot justify' the cost. The supermarket giant released its 1.2kg Pistachio and KitKat layer cakes last month, and many rushed to their local Coles to try the new treats. Pistachios in particular are having a moment, with a recent spike in demand for pistachio flavoured products, which has seen the price and availability of the humble nut soar. But shoppers have kicked off about the price of the two new cake offerings, which both serve 18 people. The KitKat layer cake, with luscious chocolate layers and crispy wafer bits, has a price tag of $35. The Pistachio version, a double-layered vanilla cake filled with pistachio cream cheese buttercream and topped with crushed nuts, will set you back $40. In comparison, a regular Coles mud cake costs $6.60 and serves eight people. Food blogger @NectoriousPapi raved about the nutty new offering, saying he enjoyed it, with the standout being the pistachio butter cream filling. 'Absolutely beautiful, it's a great blend between pistachio and white chocolate coming through. I could just have a whole tub of the filling on its own — I don't really need the cake,' he said. 'Overall, this is very, very nice.' The JazHandMade team also raved about the gourmet cake, saying it would 'be gone by the end of the day' between the five staff members. 'This icing is insane,' one said. But many shoppers took to social media to comment on the price of the dessert. 'It's $40 though. I can go to a cake shop for that money,' one said. Another added: 'Really think Pistachio products are over rated.' 'Inside is all same with other cake,' someone else chimed in. One social media user said: 'OK now I know why we have a shortage of pistachios. I might have to buy this cake JUST to get my pistachios and throw the cake away.' 'It may look tasty and creamy, but I cannot justify $40 for that cake,' one said. Another commented online: 'For $40 it would want to be amazing.' 'I've tasted it and sorry too offend but I found it yuck,' one critiqued. Another added: 'I was very, very, VERY disappointed in it. If I was blindfolded, I would NOT have guessed 'pistachio' and for $40, a rip-off.' A Coles spokesperson weighed in on the cake and the debate over the price tag. 'Our customers have been loving our new celebration cakes. Flavours like pistachio and KitKat are really trending right now and we made sure to listen closely to what customers want,' the spokesperson told 'We wanted to create cakes that not only taste amazing but help customers celebrate special moments – from the premium ingredients we use to the hand-finished details. It's all about giving customers a memorable dessert moment that's as share-worthy as it is delicious.' The cake is just the latest offering in the supermarket pistachio craze, after the 'Dubai chocolate' trend took off on social media. The thick bar, made by Fix Dessert Chocolatier in the UAE city, is filled with pistachio cream and kataifi, a 'string' pastry commonly used to add a satisfying crunch to both sweet and savoury dishes. In April, supermarket giants Coles and Woolworths responded to the increased price of pistachio nuts. A report at the time revealed pistachio kernel prices have surged from $12 a pound (almost half a kilo) a year ago to around $16 a pound, according to Giles Hacking of global nut trader CG Hacking. 'The pistachio world is basically tapped out at the moment,' he told the Financial Times. Thankfully, while many countries have been affected by the shortage, Australian supply has largely remained unaffected. Coles said it had a 'great supply of pistachios available' to cope with the growing demand from customers. 'We have seen a noticeable trend in customers seeking pistachio-flavoured food items, and we are committed to offering a wide range of products in this flavour for everyone to enjoy,' a spokesperson told Woolworths also said it had been unaffected.
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
HMRC rule change: Thousands of UK households urged to gift money to children in advance
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info UK households earning £100,000 are forecast to "bear the brunt of tax rises" in the Autumn Budget. It is feared that Chancellor Rachel Reeves will initiate HMRC tax raids on UK households in her Autumn Statement. Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown, has warned that "so-called Henrys (High Earners Not Rich Yet) could bear the brunt of tax rises". Ms Coles also cautioned that they "already face significant income tax burdens, and those earning more than £100,000 fall off the cliff edge of government support for childcare too." If the Government extends the income tax freeze beyond 2028, "it would mean more people pass over the threshold to pay 60 per cent, and more pass into the realms of 45 per cent tax too," Ms Coles stated. Warnings have also been issued about increases in council tax and a tax on inheritance and pensions under new HMRC rules and shake-up previously confirmed by the Labour government, reports Birmingham Live. A way to navigate the rule shake-up has also emerged, though. IHT changes might prompt those planning to leave money to Henrys to "do so sooner rather than later, to take advantage of gifting allowances or get the clock ticking on the seven years it takes for a larger gift to leave their estate," Ms Coles said. The term 'Henrys' was coined way back in a 2003 article in Fortune, an American magazine. Emma Sterland, chief financial planning director of wealth managers Evelyn Partners, spoke out last year to highlight the other clouds on the Henrys' horizon. "The pension tax reliefs may be under threat in the Budget, with higher-rate relief abolished and replaced by a lower flat rate," says Sterland. Join the North Wales Live WhatsApp community group where you can get the latest stories delivered straight to your phone She continued: "Thousands of people are coming off heavily discounted fixed-rate mortgages at rates of 2 per cent or lower. Mortgage rates may be moving downwards but these borrowers will still be paying substantially more each month." Giving them some good news, Andrew Montlake of mortgage brokers Coreco said: "There are specialist lenders who are prepared to advance 5.5 times income for "high net worth" customers who are earning above, say, £100,000. Some lenders will do special deals for accountants, doctors and lawyers." He continued: "If you're on £300,000 a year or more, a private bank, like Investec, will start with a blank sheet of paper when it assesses how much it may be happy to lend you. But it may require that future bonuses be used to pay down the loan." Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
National Post
3 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Achievers Honors Global Leaders in Recognition and Rewards in its Inaugural A-List Awards
Article content Awards honor leaders using science-backed recognition and rewards programs to shape culture and drive tangible business impact Article content TORONTO — Achievers, the world's most utilized recognition and reward software, is proud to announce the winners of the first Achievers A-List Awards, celebrating organizations who drive business success through creative and impactful approaches within the Achievers recognition and rewards platform. Article content Article content Achievers celebrated the winners of the 2025 Achievers A-List Awards at its Recognition Next event in Toronto, Canada, earlier this month. The A-List Award for Innovation category honors creative, high-impact strategies that are transforming company culture, driving business performance, and setting a new standard for employee recognition and engagement. Article content The Achievers A-List Award Winners of 2025 are: Article content Cineplex – By creating a dynamic and inclusive recognition system rewarding both high and low performers through a weighted scorecard, Cineplex improved NPS at 45% of locations and mitigated the typical guest satisfaction decline, achieving gains across key metrics. Coles – Coles creatively turned Employee Appreciation Week into an extraordinary feel-good spike in recognition activity that celebrated the actions of more than 100,000 team members across Australia. ECI Software Solutions – ECI Software Solutions redefined and strengthened its culture by embedding recognition into the employee experience, seamlessly integrating team members from over 55 acquisitions into a single, value-driven community. Since launching the recognition program, employees have exchanged more than 700,000 High5s, showing just how connected and appreciated people feel across the company. GoDaddy – GoDaddy's 2024 Customer Service Week campaign redefined employee recognition through a bold blend of gamified engagement, interactive leadership involvement, and themed daily celebrations—driving a 51% surge in engagement and setting a new benchmark for recognition-driven employee experience excellence. Kellanova – Kellanova's Nourishing Resilience emotional health focused campaign sparked a 460% YoY increase in social recognition by empowering their employees to support one another amidst a time of uncertainty and transformation. This campaign was also supported by Achievers Managed Services. Prisma Health – By incorporating patient feedback from CipherHealth into their Inspire recognition program, team members gain a clearer understanding of the meaningful impact they have on the lives they touch. Quest Diagnostics – Quest Diagnostics credits a pilot program that used the Achievers platform to recognize top employees in patient services for helping to deliver triple digit growth in online customer reviews and improved customer ratings. Taylor Morrison – America's Most Trusted® Home Builder, Taylor Morrison, was selected for its two-year anniversary campaign, which prompted team members to share the meaningful, unique ways they've used their Applause points and resulted in a nearly 50% increase in recognition activity. Zurich North America – Zurich North America's 2024 U.S. National Accounts Results Driver campaigns promoted solution-oriented and customer-focused underwriting behaviors that helped to achieve a 30% increase in new business, improve product density, and recognize 62% more colleagues than prior years. Article content 'Achievers launched the A-List Awards to recognize organizations that don't just talk about valuing their people but embed employee appreciation into the very fabric of their culture,' said Kristian Gaetano, Chief Operating Officer at Achievers. 'This year's winners demonstrate that when leaders fully commit to recognition from the top down, it becomes a powerful catalyst for lasting organizational change and business results. These companies aren't just using the Achievers platform to drive a culture of appreciation, they're pushing the envelope on how recognition innovation can drive stronger business results, allowing them to thrive in a challenging talent market.' Article content The A-List Award winners were evaluated by key criteria including innovative contributions, strategic impact, and outcome measurement. Winning initiatives ranged from sales campaigns that drove new business, recognition efforts that elevated engagement scores, and inventive strategies that fostered cross-team collaboration and raised brand awareness. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact Article content Article content Audrey Surette Article content Article content Article content
