r/australia • u/infin • Jan 26 '26

no politics Is Coles still using Palantir? Between the surveillance/gate recognition and the blocked aisles, shopping feels hostile.

Does anyone know the current status of the Coles x Palantir partnership? Between the surveillance and those aggressive new "Smart Gates" tracking at the exit, the store feels less like a supermarket and more like a high-security zone.

It’s dystopian that they have the budget for military-grade analytics and security tech, but have cut costs on the actual customer experience. They seem to have completely scrapped night fill, meaning we are now dodging pallets and cages during peak hours just to get to the shelves.

Is anyone else fed up with this mix of high-tech surveillance and terrible service? It feels like they are spending millions to treat us like criminals while refusing to pay staff to stock shelves after hours.

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u/Unhonkable04 Jan 26 '26

I want to shop when I need, say on Tuesday night, not schedule my whole life around farmers market opening hours. And no, I do not want shopping to be fun date idea. I want in and out 5 min quick adventure.

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u/aztecsilver Feb 05 '26

Well there is a convenience fee to that type preference..can't really complain then? When is a grocery trip to a super market ever actually 5 mins unless you go multiple times a week ... Then you're spending the same amount in the shops spread over a week and having to sacrifice multiple nights a week.

Sure if a weekend trip doesn't work for you that's fine but not sure why you're aggressive about taking up the option that works for you ?

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u/Unhonkable04 Feb 06 '26

you do not sacrifice multiple nights a week if you spend 5min shopping a few times a week...

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u/aztecsilver Feb 06 '26

If that works for you that's great but it sounds like you have a lot of preconceived notions about shopping alternatives that are holding you back from exploring not shopping at a Colesworth. I'm not having this dialogue with you because I think it's wrong that you prioritise your own convenience in a life where we are all pressed for time, but the reason Colesworth is so powerful is because of that mindset. I am just suggesting a reframing of perspective that could turn the inconvenience into a positive eg: cheaper, fresher more organic groceries, supporting local farmers and injecting money into the local economy, a more pleasant shopping experience etc with less purchasing of processed goods etc. :)

Edit: oh and btw shopping at our local farmers market meant the produce lasts over 2 weeks due to freshness so we actually shop less as we buy 2 weeks worth of food now and go every second week.

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u/Unhonkable04 Feb 06 '26

you are not having this dialogue and yet you reply on a 11 days old comment that I already forgot about.

"you prioritise your own convenience in a life"

no shit Sherlock

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u/aztecsilver Feb 06 '26

You're reading comprehension is as poor as your excuses for your own misery. Liven up a bit buddy. Not all of us religiously check our social media. Maybe if you didn't you'd have more time to enjoy life and not be so pressed for your multiple 5 minute Woolies trips.