The 'very disappointing' Coles Little Shop minis news outraging shoppers
The announcement of a special Christmas edition of Coles Little Shop Minis took Australia by storm – but just two weeks after its release, many stores around the country have already sold out, leaving shoppers fuming.
Angry customers have taken to social media to vent their frustration over the short-lived campaign, labelling the promotion as “disappointing” and “poorly planned”.
One woman wrote that her parents “spent a lot of money” at the supermarket, only for them to be told that they had run out of collectables “a week ago”.
“You all need to pick up your game as this is not right, we are ready to not shop with you because of how disappointed [sic] is it that you are unable to stock enough for people to collect or hold swap days for those to complete their collections,” the woman wrote.
Other shoppers agreed.
“Why have a promotion if you don’t have enough stock to cater for it!” a man wrote after finding out his local store had sold out.
“Very disappointed, Coles Australia, firstly you don’t have enough folders for the Christmas Minis, today, when I did my shopping, your Westfield West Lakes store has run out of the Minis! So, I will now have some very disappointed grandchildren!” an Adelaide grandmother said.
The special release featured five festive-themed collectable items, including a mini Pavlova, a mini gingerbread man, mini Christmas crackers, mini fruit mince pies and mini Gingerbread ice-cream.
The promotion also sold limited edition stocking-shaped collector cases – but they too have sold out.
Coles confirmed it had sold out of the sought-after minis, with a spokesperson telling Yahoo 7 the response to the campaign was overwhelming.
“Coles’ Little Shop Christmas edition has taken Australia by storm and many of our stores have now run out of Little Shop Christmas mini collectables and merchandise.
“It has been fantastic to see so many customers who enjoyed the first Little Shop enjoy a little extra surprise this Christmas and add to their collections.”
On Facebook, the supermarket giant told frustrated customers that the items were strictly “limited edition”.
“Please be advised that the Little Shop merchandise was strictly while stocks last and we’ve now sold out of all Little Shop Merch.”
“We’re very sorry for any disappointment, and we’ll be sure to share your feedback with the relevant teams for any future promotions.”
The first release of the collectables was so well-received by consumers that it helped give Coles its strongest quarterly sales growth in two years, sending their profits rocketing above rivals Woolworths.
The original 30 mini items – released back in July – included Nutella, Weet-Bix, Milo, Oak chocolate milk, Vegemite and Tim Tams.
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Both campaigns required shoppers to spend a minimum of $30 online or in-store to receive a collectable.
The campaign was such a success, that Woolworths have attempted to replicate some its rival’s success by introducing its own miniature giveaways in the form of their Christmas Pop-Outs.
Woolworths boasts that their collectables are recyclable – following the backlash that Coles received over their plastic minis.
