Coles has prepared staff for a scenario where they have to convert registers to “card-only” sales this Easter amid “industry-wide challenges with cash movements”, but says the potential change will only be temporary and may not even be noticed by shoppers.
A leaked memo revealed workers across its supermarket and liquor store network had been instructed to implement the measure if cash reserves begin to run short.
According to the memo, a card-only notice will warn consumers if the measure is put into practice, and staff have been told to remind shoppers of this before their items are scanned.
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The supermarket giant has paused Armaguard delivery services until April 5 amid uncertainty over the cash transport company’s future.
In a statement, Coles said it is managing “disruptions” but was confident cash would still be accepted at all stores.
“We are not transitioning to cashless transactions,” a spokesperson said.
“Due to industry-wide challenges with cash movements, we are taking some temporary steps to prepare for disruption to Armaguard services.
“Cash transactions continue to be available in all Coles supermarkets and Coles Liquor stores.”
The staff memo also revealed workers had been given a line to offer customers, should they ask why a store was no longer accepting cash: “Our change reserves have been impacted by a decline in cash transactions, along with industry-wide challenges with cash movement services. All card purchases are still accepted.”
Stores that share services with Coles Supermarkets were told they could continue to source change through Coles.
The decline in cash transactions was highlighted in a 2023 RBA report which found 72 per cent of Australians were classed as “low cash users”, meaning they use coins and banknotes for less than 20 per cent of their purchases, compared with 50 per cent in 2019.