{"id":108368,"date":"2026-01-01T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-31T21:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/?p=108368"},"modified":"2025-12-31T20:54:41","modified_gmt":"2025-12-31T09:54:41","slug":"changes-coming-to-aussie-supermarkets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/changes-coming-to-aussie-supermarkets\/","title":{"rendered":"Big Changes Coming to Aussie Supermarkets in 2026 \u2013 Here\u2019s What to Expect"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you thought your weekly supermarket trip couldn\u2019t get any stranger, think again. From AI-powered trolleys to store redesigns and new cash payment rules, 2026 is shaping up to be a turning point for Australia\u2019s biggest retailers. The way we shop \u2014 and even pay \u2014 is about to look very different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Supermarket Checkout Revolution<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Supermarkets have been on a mission to modernise, and 2025 proved just how far they\u2019re willing to go. Self-serve checkouts are now everywhere \u2014 in fact, Woolworths says they\u2019ve rolled out to 98% of stores nationwide. For many shoppers, it\u2019s faster and more convenient, but for others, it\u2019s become a source of frustration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some say the new systems have cost jobs, while others complain they\u2019ve made theft easier. In response, retailers are ramping up security measures. Shoppers have started noticing anti-theft gates, weight-sensitive shelves, and even audio reminders about CCTV. It\u2019s all part of a wider push to protect stock in a time when the cost of living has made shoplifting more common.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even Bunnings is reportedly exploring the return of facial recognition cameras, a move that\u2019s already sparked privacy debates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When AI Meets the Shopping Trolley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Coles<\/a> took a futuristic leap in 2025 with the trial of AI-powered trolleys. These smart carts can scan, weigh, and charge you for groceries as you move through the aisles \u2014 no checkout needed. Sensors, cameras, and built-in screens track every item, meaning shoppers can pack as they go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woolworths has its own version, rolling out Scan & Go trolleys linked to its Everyday Rewards system. Together, these experiments point to a future where queuing to pay could become a thing of the past.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/twitter.com\/YahooNewsAU\/status\/2006132387323789715\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Rise of Home Brands<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As inflation continues to squeeze household budgets, Coles and Woolworths are doubling down on their home-brand products. Coles announced plans to cut the number of items on shelves by 10%, clearing space for cheaper in-house lines. Woolworths has followed suit, giving its private labels more visibility \u2014 from basic essentials to premium packaging that looks almost like luxury goods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, Aldi, long known for its affordable options, has expanded its partnership with DoorDash, offering grocery delivery across more Australian cities after a successful trial in Canberra.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Coming in 2026<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The new year will bring even bigger shifts. Kmart has confirmed it will redesign its store layout, moving checkouts back to the front of stores after months of complaints about confusing designs, reports Yahoo News<\/a>. Shoppers had criticised the brand\u2019s \u201cmaze-like\u201d central checkout zones, and now it\u2019s reverting to something simpler.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there\u2019s the new cash rule. From January 1, supermarkets and petrol stations will be legally required to accept cash payments for transactions under $500 between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The change follows public pressure for inclusivity as Australia edges toward a cashless economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Woolworths also plans to extend its Lower Shelf Price initiative for another six months, locking in discounts on over 130 products \u2014 a small win for households feeling the pinch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Changing Face of Retail<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s clear that 2026 won\u2019t be business as usual. Automation, AI, and digital payments are transforming how Australians shop, even as consumers push back against some of the changes. For every shopper who loves the convenience, there\u2019s another who misses the simplicity of a staffed checkout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, the weekly supermarket run will never be the same again. Whether it\u2019s scanning as you go, tapping your card, or finally being able to pay in cash again \u2014 one thing\u2019s for sure: the future of shopping is here, and it\u2019s rolling straight down aisle five.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Australian supermarkets are entering a new era in 2026, with major changes set to transform how shoppers buy, pay, and experience their weekly grocery run.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":108371,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[44],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-108368","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-33","no-featured-image-padding"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108368","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=108368"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108368\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":108372,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/108368\/revisions\/108372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108371"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=108368"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=108368"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/en.econostrum.info\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=108368"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}