Coles has rolled out what they are branding as a hot new Best Buys online marketplace, the only problem is the site is only ranging 8 new products, with many categories empty.
The big retail chain who pinched the idea of specials out of Aldi’s textbook,claims that their customers will be able to buy a range of “Best Buys” online products, that do not sit on supermarket shelves, including branded products from Apple along with several other CE and appliance brands who are set to dump run out stock or stock manufactured specifically for cheap outlet malls or retailers wanting to sell cheap stock on Coles customers. 
The move comes as archrival Aldi works on a new online store which could hurt both Coles and Woolworths online specials ambitions.
Coles General Manager Jonathan Torr said its new online platform will offer lifestyle products and showcase their “limited edition products” across the country.
“Our Coles Best Buys program has proven incredibly popular with our customers over the past year,” he said.
What he did not reveal is that Aldi is significantly outselling them when it comes to specials.
At one NSW location that I visited this week the Coles specials stock was extremely limited though they were selling a Blaupunkt 720P projector for $69. When we asked Coles staff how their specials were selling, they “Said” slowly.
“People go to Aldi for specials not Coles”.
An Aldi store was inside the same shopping mall as Coles.
Torr said, “Now we’re excited to launch an online platform where customers can exclusively get an array of large, big-ticket items online under the trusted Best Buys brand.”
The new site BestBuys.coles.com.au includes a refurbished Apple iPad 6, a greenhouse, cooking pack oven and cooktops. All are similar to what Aldi sell in the tens of thousands.
A visit to the site reveals only 8 products.
“While we want to keep the collection small to ensure we’re offering a good mix of in demand, essential products, we’re looking forward to expanding our existing brand partners’ range,” Mr Torr said.
“As well as working with new suppliers to continue evolving the offer and exciting our customers with a variety of much-loved products they cannot get in store.”
Insiders claim that Aldo has locked down “key suppliers” for their specials ranging and that Coles is having to find new distributors many who fear that their mainstream retailers will drop them if they supply Coles.
