Overview
It certainly hasn't been a normal year for supermarkets, with toilet paper battles and limits on everyday items hitting the front page, but now the pandemic palaver has settled down somewhat, Coles hopes to make your everyday grocery shop (dare we say) exciting with the launch of its fancy new store on the lower north shore.
Located in Chatswood Westfield, the newly renovated and reinvented store is the newest iteration in the Coles Local series, the first of which launched in Rose Bay back in May.
Opening on Wednesday, November 11, the new Chatswood store has a range of forward-thinking elements never before seen at an Australian supermarket. You can cut down on single-use plastic by stocking up on shampoos, conditioners, body washes and laundry liquids at an in-store refill station, with reusable bottles made from recycled and sugarcane plastic.
There is also a Japanese mochi ice cream parlour, a freshly squeezed orange juice station and a coffee booth with both dairy and plant-based milk options. Speaking of mylk, the store also stocks over 200 plant-based products, which is great news if you're a local vegan or dairy-free person.
Hanna Lassen
The store also stocks products from 35 Sydney-based businesses, including pasta and salads from Pasta Pantry, sourdough bread and sweet treats from Sonoma and meat from Field to Fork. Twenty-five bilingual team members have been hired to assist customers who aren't fluent in English — and Coles hasn't forgotten about the most important member of your family, your pets.
You can treat them with new in-store goodies, such as snacks from a dog food pick-and-mix bar and Coles' first range of pet-friendly ice cream, so your pooch can have an after-dinner treat while you enjoy your Tim Tams.
The store also has a mural honouring Chatswood's history and culture created by local artist Nancy Liang.
A third Sydney edition to the Coles Local series is set to open in Manly later this year.
Coles Local Chatswood is located in Westfield Chatswood, Victor Street, Chatswood and open 7am–10pm Monday–Saturday and 8am–10pm Sunday.
Top images: Hanna Lassen