Keep Calm, Carry On; the buns are back!
Coles launches hot cross buns on Boxing Day as customer demand rises
26 December 2020
Coles supermarkets is bringing the humble hot cross bun early on Boxing Day as customers’ appetite for their favourite Easter treat continues to grow.
From 26 December, customers will start to spot a range of much-loved hot cross buns at Coles supermarkets nationwide including Coles’ traditional 100% Aussie fruit; award-winning chocolate; apple & cinnamon and fruit-free hot cross buns, as well as gluten-free traditional and chocolate varieties for $3.50 per pack.
Sales of Coles’ hot cross buns in December last year revealed a growing demand for the sweet treat outside of the traditional Easter period, with more than 1.6 million hot cross buns – equivalent to 124,000 kilograms - sold in just five days of landing in Coles stores before 1 January.
Coles Head of Bakery Operations Shaun Percy said early sales results show that customers now expect to tuck into the Easter treat before they polish off their Christmas leftovers.
“There’s no doubt that customers love our hot cross buns – they’re a quick and easy meal fix and absolutely delicious. Our award-winning Coles traditional hot cross buns have had the highest percentage of 100% Aussie fruit [28%] in each individual bun, making them extra plump and juicy,” he said.
“Early sales of hot cross buns last year tell us there’s very strong demand to see the Easter treat on shelves as soon as possible.
“While we understand there may be different views on selling the Easter treat early, our bakers are constantly being asked by customers when they can get their hands on our delicious hot cross buns. We’re always listening to our customers and this is about offering our customers the products that they want to see on shelves for longer and as soon as possible.”
Coles customer survey revealed that of those who enjoy hot cross buns, more than half (53%) had enjoyed them outside of the Easter period.
According to Coles’ sales data, the suburbs in each state and territory with the biggest appetite for hot cross buns in December last year were: Cowes, Victoria (6510 buns); Ellenbrook, WA (6408 buns); Cairns, Qld (5328 buns); Kincumber, NSW (5063 buns); Oaklands Parks, SA (3888 buns); Launceston, Tasmania (2802 buns); Canberra, ACT (2532 buns) and Casuarina, NT (2010 buns).
Coles sales data also showed that South Australians consumed the most Coles hot cross buns per capita in December 2019, followed by Western Australians and Queenslanders.
Over the 2020 Easter period, Coles sold more than 66 million hot cross buns, including nearly 12 million in the week leading up to Easter weekend [7 April – 13 April 2020].
For Coles Chocolate Hot Cross Buns, Coles has sourced cocoa from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, creating better opportunities for farmers and safeguarding the environment for the future.
