A milk brand from Victoria’s Gippsland region is reportedly being removed from some Coles stores in the state, prompting an outcry from its loyal customers who have slammed the move as “disgusting”.
Supermarkets have placed restrictions on the purchase of eggs over fears of a potential shortage following the bird flu outbreak.
Coles has confirmed that customers would be limited to the purchase of two cartons -except customers in Western Australia.
Experts warn up to 600,000 egg-laying chickens may need to be culled to stem the spread of the virus.
Gippsland Jersey is a boutique brand which sources milk from local Jersey farms in the Gippsland region and processes it in Lakes Entrance.
The company, whose full cream milk was judged the best in the state for 2024, published a lengthy update to its Facebook page this week announcing it was being “delisted” from many Coles stores in Victoria.
The news prompted an outpouring of support for Gippsland Jersey and its products. Picture: NCA NewsWire
“The brand is being delisted from the majority of Coles stores due to the retailer’s margin requirements and sales expectations,” the statement said.
“We are bitterly disappointed that Coles supermarket has a system that we believe doesn’t really work for little brands like us.
“This decision by Coles overlooks the broader impact on family farms and rural communities, which depend on the viability of local dairy businesses like Gippsland Jersey to provide jobs and transport, etc and more importantly you would think in giving consumers a choice.”
The news prompted an outpouring of support for the brand, with some loyal customers promising to go elsewhere to buy the milk.
Some even declared they would contact Coles to demand Gippsland Jersey be restocked.
CommSec Chief Economist Craig James reveals Australians are cautiously trying keep their money in their pockets as they struggle to make ends meet.
Mr James’ comments come as Woolworths reported worse than expected financial results for the March quarter.
“The mood changed at Christmas/ New Year according to Woolworths, they [consumers] became decidingly more cautious,” he told Sky News Australia.
“Very, very cautious in terms of overall spending.
“The good news, I suppose for shoppers is the average price inflation we are seeing at stores like Coles and Woolworths has come down.”
“Why?? Best milk EVER. I’ll have to change my supermarket,” one person commented.
“Disgusting,” another said.
“Not a great way to promote buying Australian made products Coles.”
Another person described the move as simply “not good enough”.
Coles said it was committed to supporting independent and local producers, with Gippsland Jersey milk still to be sold in 16 stores in Victoria where the supermarket sees “the most demand” from customers.
“Giving customers choice when shopping is an important part of our offer at Coles,” a spokesperson said in a statement provided to SkyNews.com.au.
“To ensure we have the right products available on shelf, we regularly review the ranges on offer to understand how items are being received by customers, and to help ensure the right products can be purchased by shoppers in parts of the country where there is most demand.
“We remain committed to continuing to support independent and local producers, and from July, we will focus on selling Gippsland Jersey in 16 stores in Victoria where we see most demand for this local brand from customers.”