The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission launched a Federal Court trial in Melbourne against Coles, alleging the supermarket artificially inflated prices on 245 products for short periods before promoting illusory discounts under its Down Down campaign.
Examples include Arnott’s Shapes biscuits, Band-Aids, Strepsils and dog food, where prices spiked briefly—often 7-28 days—then fell back to or above prior levels, misleading customers amid cost-of-living pressures.
Coles denies any deception, blaming supplier cost increases from inflation, while a similar case against Woolworths awaits.
If the ACCC wins, penalties could reach hundreds of millions, with consumer groups eyeing refunds.
