Coles Supermarket

The worst Coles I’ve been to… sadly, it’s the only supermarket in Fitzroy.
It’s small, which is to be expected given the real estate prices here. So selection is an issue if you’re into fresh produce and meat, but that’s not all that surprising. (Although it does get frustrating when I have the chance to go to the huge Woolworth’s in nearby-​but-​just-​slightly-​too-​far-​for-​grocery-​shopping Collingwood.)
What is surprising is the terrible inventory management. Things they are routinely out of stock in: coriander. basil. parmesan cheese. BEEF MINCE. What kind of supermarket runs out of these things? There are also often no shopping baskets as you walk in and you have to go to the checkouts to get them.
They have plenty of self-​checkout, but I find these a pain when buying fresh produce, and they frequently only have two manned checkouts that always have queues.
The only upside is that they do pretty good discounting in snack foods, and I’ve found some decent meat specials during weekdays. The stock staff are helpful when you can find them.
If there was any other decent option in walking distance, I’d go there, but sadly the only other option where I live is a tiny IGA.

Why am I reviewing Coles? Coles is a giant chain of supermarket, but I have a fond attachment to this particular Coles. Located only 2 minutes away from my house, I probably see the inside of this Coles more often then I see any other establishment in Fitzroy.
I particularly like their cheese selection. They’ve limited it over the past year, but you can still find St Agur and D’Affinois, a French goat’s cheese brie, that I really enjoy. What’s great about this Coles is that the staff here are quite friendly and some even know us by name.
Plus, if you’re there when there are reduced offers, you can get anywhere from 20% to 60% off.

It may seem a bit weird to review a supermarket as we all know you might think they are all just the same. But nevertheless the size and range of produce does vary quite a lot.
The Coles on Johnston Street in the heart of Fitzroy is a fairly small shop and is pretty much the only decent sized supermarket for a good 1 km radius. It certainly caters to more of a Fitzroy crowd with quite a large selection of obscure fruits and veg and more than usual organic offerings.
Where I do feel let down is the seafood and meat sections that don’t offer the same about of range.
If you go late in the day you can usually get tons of things 40% (sometimes 66%) off, so if you live locally you can take advantage and eat your treats the next day. They also have pretty good baked goods.
As for the staff, they are really friendly and quite often up for a chat.

Yeah yeah, it’s yet another Coles, but there’s one excellent piece of news about Fitzroy Coles worth spreading around: they now sell Glick’s bagels!
In amongst the bread loaves in the shelves in front of the deli you’ll find bags of four plain, poppyseed, sesame seed or mixed fruit Glick’s bagels for about $ 4. Perfect if it’s Saturday morning and you want to make your own weekend brekkie feast but don’t want to settle for boring old toast. Actually, perfect for any morning, really.
For those who don’t know, Glick’s is a Kosher bakery business who make the best bagels in town. Their closest outpost to the north side is Flinders Ln in the CBD. And that store ain’t open on weekends — so yes, this is good news!