Best Time to Buy Groceries at Coles & Woolworths Australia

Updated March 2026 · Shopping timing guide for Australian supermarkets

The timing of your grocery shop can make a significant difference to both what you pay and how enjoyable the experience is. At Coles and Woolworths, knowing when specials change, when shelves are freshest, and when stores are quietest helps you shop smarter and save more. Here's everything you need to know about the best time to buy groceries in Australia.

The Most Important Day: Wednesday

The single most important timing fact for Australian grocery shoppers: both Coles and Woolworths change their weekly specials on Wednesday. New half-price deals go live from approximately 8–9am AEST every Wednesday morning.

This means:

• Wednesday morning is when you should check what's on sale this week
• Popular items (especially personal care, confectionery, and sought-after brands) can sell out by the weekend
• If you're flexible, shop early Wednesday to get the full range of specials in stock
• If you shop Sunday–Tuesday, you're buying during the last few days of the current specials cycle — stock may be depleted

Best Time of Day to Shop

Quietest Times

If you want the most relaxed shopping experience with easiest access to products and the shortest queues:

• Weekday mornings (7–10am): Quietest period. Stock is freshly restocked overnight. Staff are available. Ideal for thorough shopping.
• Weekday afternoons (1–3pm): Generally quiet outside school holidays.
• Tuesday evenings (5–7pm): Before the Wednesday changeover, so last-chance deals on current specials.

Busiest Times (Avoid If Possible)

• Saturday 10am–2pm: Peak grocery time in Australia. Long queues, crowded aisles, depleted popular items.
• Friday afternoons and evenings: After-work weekend shopping rush.
• Sunday afternoon: Last-minute weekly shop for many households.
• Any day before a public holiday: Extremely busy. Stock up the week before.

Best Time of Year for Grocery Deals

January (Post-Christmas Clearance)

After Christmas, supermarkets clear remaining seasonal stock with deep discounts. Gift boxes of chocolates, Christmas puddings, specialty biscuit tins, and premium foods often hit significant markdowns. Good time to stock up on pantry items that were on seasonal display.

Easter

Easter eggs and confectionery go on rapid clearance the week after Easter — often 50–75% off. If you're not picky about the occasion, buying Easter chocolate post-Easter is great value. Chocolate doesn't care what shaped its packaging was.

Mother's Day and Father's Day Leadup

Premium gift boxes (Ferrero Rocher, Lindt, wine sets) often appear in half-price specials in the weeks leading up to major gifting occasions. A good time to buy ahead for other purposes.

Mid-Year (July)

Both supermarkets typically run significant mid-year promotions. Bonus points events and heavy half-price rotations in July are common.

Best Time to Buy Specific Categories

• Meat: Buy early in the week when the fresh selection is best. Reduced-to-clear meat typically appears later in the week (Thursday–Saturday evening) when it's approaching best-before date — great value if you cook or freeze immediately.
• Bread: Freshest Wednesday–Friday when bakeries have ramped up for the weekend. Reduced-to-clear loaves appear Saturday–Sunday evenings.
• Produce: Best selection Monday–Wednesday when weekly deliveries arrive. Avoid Sunday afternoons when stock may be depleted.
• Half-price packaged goods: Wednesday morning for best selection. Don't wait until the weekend for popular items.

Online Shopping Timing Tips

For Coles Online and Woolworths Online orders:

• Place your order Wednesday morning to access the latest half-price specials
• Book delivery or Click & Collect slots in advance — popular times (evenings, weekends) book out fast
• Avoid placing orders Sunday evening for Tuesday delivery — you may receive products discounted under the old specials week's pricing at the cut-off
• Both apps show current half-price specials and allow you to filter the catalogue by "on special" — a quicker way to plan your shop than browsing aisle by aisle

Seasonal Buying Calendar

• Jan–Feb: Post-Christmas clearances, New Year health food specials
• Mar–Apr: Easter confectionery (buy post-Easter for clearance), school term start
• May: Mother's Day gift deals
• Jun–Jul: EOFY promotions, mid-year bonus points events
• Aug–Sep: Father's Day specials, start of spring product launches
• Oct–Nov: Pre-Christmas gift ranges, Halloween confectionery clearance
• Dec: Christmas shopping, avoid the last week before Christmas for prices and crowds

Frequently Asked Questions

What day do Coles specials change?

Coles specials change every Wednesday from approximately 8–9am AEST. The specials week runs Wednesday to Tuesday.

What day do Woolworths specials change?

Woolworths specials also change on Wednesday from approximately 8am AEST. Both stores align their weekly specials cycle.

Is it cheaper to shop at the start or end of the week?

In terms of deal availability, the start of the week (Wednesday–Friday) gives you access to the widest range of in-stock specials. By the weekend, popular items on half-price special may be sold out. In terms of reduced-to-clear fresh items, end of the week (Thursday–Saturday) is better for markdowns on perishables.