The biggest supermarket changes we've seen in 2025 - and what's still to come in the new year
By Jo Abi|
Australian supermarkets have embraced new technology 2025, with rapid changes rolled out across major stores over the past 12 months.
Some of these changes have been visible and dramatic, attracting a lot of attention. Others are more subtle, but still have a significant impact on shopper experience.
And if the rate of change in 2025 is anything to go by, 2026 is going see changes being made that will shape how we grocery shop in years to come.
The biggest supermarket changes in 2025?
1. Checkout changes
This year, Coles, Woolworths and Aldi supermarkets increased the number of self checkouts at their stores across Australia, and reduced how many of these self checkout accept cash payments.
Paper receipts are also optional now, with customers prompted to opt in if they would like a receipt printed before exiting stores.
?2. Major uptake of home brands
Coles and Woolworths expanded their range of home brands and customers have been choosing them increasingly in a bid to stretch their grocery budgets even further.
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Coles rolled out over 530 new home brand products? in 2025, and Woolworths also significantly increased their home brand range.
Choice reported shoppers can save up to 42 per cent at the checkout by doing this.?
3. More online shopping
While majority of Aussie grocery shoppers ?prefer do to their grocery shopping in stores จC approximately 84 per cent, according to the ACCC จC Coles and Woolworths have also reported an increase in online shopping.
Coles reported an increase of 27.9 per cent and Woolworths reported an increase of 39 per cent, which included their fast grocery delivery app MilkRun.?
At the end of 2025, Coles and Woolworths announced exclusive partnerships with fast food delivery services Uber Eats and DoorDash.
Going forward, Coles will be exclusively available on Uber Eats, with Woolworths leaving the app. And Woolworths has joined DoorDash in their own exclusive partnership, meaning Coles has left the DoorDash app.?
4. New baskets and trolleys
?Coles replaced their small, two-handle shopping baskets with larger single-handle baskets, while Woolworths introduced larger single-handed baskets but retained their small, two-handle baskets.
Coles and Woolworths also began replacing their metal trolley fleets with trolleys that have been made using recycled materials.
These trolleys are plastic, and lighter and much easier to use.
?4. Smart Trolleys and Scan & Go
Coles introduced Smart Trolleys in select locations which allow customers to scan in their own items and check out online.
Woolworths introduced a similar shopping option called Scan & Go.
Both of these options required specially-designed trolleys and the use of a device which is available in some some stores.?
5. Significantly increased security
Retail theft in supermarkets has increased significantly by at least five per cent over the past two years. This is thought to be due to increased self checkouts, less staff as well as an increase in organised crime groups targeting Coles and Woolworths.
To tackle this, Coles and Woolworths significantly increases security measures, including upgrading entrance gates that prevent shoppers leaving via the entrance, more surveillance technology throughout stores as well as exit gates.
6. New fruit and vegetable pricing policy
Coles began to trial a new fruit and vegetable pricing policy which saw apples sold per unit rather than per kilo. This has been previously trialled by Woolworths online.
Customer feedback on Reddit suggested this made it difficult to compare prices between stores.
Coles told nine.com.au the new pricing policy was a trial only and was aimed at making customer's shopping experience easier.?
7. AI checkout features
Coles and Woolworths has upgraded their self checkout features using AI to make customers self checkout experiences faster and easier.
One technology implemented at both supermarkets is called "bottom of the trolley" technology. This involves cameras scanning customer's trolleys and identifying bulk items, allowing customers to add these items without having to physically scan them in.
What to expect in 2026
1. ?More home brands
Coles and Woolworths have shared plans to increase their home brand offerings following the success of these ranges in 2025.
Aldi has also announced plans to increase their exclusive brands range across 2026.
Both Coles and Woolworths have won awards for some of their home brand items.
Coles won in 16 food categories in the Product of the Year Awards and Woolworths took out 10.
2. Increased security
Expect to see even more security features at Coles, Woolworths and Aldi stores as well as other major retailers.
Woolworths is currently trialling a new entry gate at Camberwell in Melbourne which includes flexible prongs that make it even more difficult to exit using the entrance, with plans to roll this out even further following a period of customer feedback.
3. More self checkouts
Self checkout expansions continue at Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, IGA and Costco stores, moving beyond catering to shoppers buying a small number of items to accommodating those purchasing a trolley full of groceries at a time.
There may also be even less cash checkouts as more customers pay by card and via banking apps.
4. 'Special Buys' ranges
Coles and Woolworths have been working on their own 'special buys' ranges similar to Aldi's famous middle aisle offerings, with some Coles and Woolworths stores now having dedication displays.
Aldi's Special Buys continue to go from strength-to-strength, having expanded from furniture, toys, electronics, clothing and other gadgets into food items and bulk purchases.
Although a softening of the excitement surrounding their Special Buys releases was noted due to retailers like Kmart offering year round low prices on similar items.?
5. More collection points
Both Coles and Woolworths have significantly increased their respective 'Click & Collect' and 'Direct to boot' locations across the country, to further support the increase in customers using this option.
While doesn't offer this, Aldi has announced plans to increase its locations in 2026 including new stores in Toowoomba, Townsville and Clyde North.
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Costco is also planning to open a new warehouse at Brisbane Airport in 2025 and two new locations at ?Pakenham in VIC and Alkimos in WA in 2027, with majority of planning and construction to be completed in 2026.
6. Savvier shopping out of necessity
As cost of living pressures continue to impact Australians, Coles, Woolworths, Aldi and Costco can expect to see less loyalty and more savvy shopping habits emerge.
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Both Coles and Woolworths reported in their most recent quarter results an increase in uptake of their loyalty programs but also an increase in "cross shopping" which sees customers completing their shopping at multiple supermarkets in order to maximise their savings.?
7. A further focus on specialty products
?Australian shoppers are increasingly relying on supermarkets to cater to specific dietary needs, with the major supermarkets significantly increasing their range of gluten-free and lactose-free products including setting up dedicated sections.
Coles launched their popular 'I'm Free From' range of gluten-free products which includes everything from bread to biscuits to frozen foods, with plans to expand on this in 2026.
Woolworths has also increased their gluten-free offering via their 'Well & Good' brand.
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