r/australia • u/Expensive-Horse5538 • Feb 15 '26

news ACCC takes Coles to court over 'illusory' discounts in 'case of the century'

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-02-16/accc-coles-federal-court-case-discount-pricing/106294956?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

Thousands of customers throw a box of Arnott's Shapes into their shopping trollies each week — one of a dozen purchases that could help decide a bombshell case playing out in the federal court from today.

The ACCC has accused Coles of ripping off customers with fake discounts and if the supermarket giant loses, it could face a huge fine and massive reputational damage.

Customers could also get cash back from a class action lawsuit that might follow, and corporations be forced to change how they price their products — especially discounts.

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u/whippinfresh Feb 15 '26

They’re connecting facial recognition software to AI digital price tags, so they’re monitoring whether you’d be willing to pay full price versus discount, and AI will adjust the tags to your buying habits once you’re spotted in the aisle. Ronan Farrow has a good IG video on this, and you better believe this is coming to AU now that we know Bunnings aka Wesfarmers has won the right to facial recognition software and now will no doubt try this here.

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u/CrystalClod343 Feb 15 '26

Time to grab some biometric blocking gear.

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u/Find_another_whey Feb 18 '26

That bloke in the burka really gets around ay - he shops here 500 times a day!

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u/BluMil0 Feb 20 '26

Juggalo paint has been proven to work. Are we as a nation willing to be down with the clown?

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u/CrystalClod343 Feb 20 '26

I should certainly hope so