Coles Christmas catalogue from 1996 resurfaces - sending nostalgic shoppers wild: 'OMG the prices are killing me'
A Christmas catalogue from 1996 has resurfaced online - and it has sent Australians spiralling into nostalgia, disbelief, and mild existential dread.The festive flyer from Coles shows Christmas staples priced so low they now read like a typo, prompting thousands to compare the figures with today's supermarket costs - and ask when Christmas groceries became a luxury purchase.'Oh my god, the price is killing me,' one person said as images of the catalogue spread across Reddit.Almost 30 years ago, an extra-large BBQ chicken cost just $5.97. Today, shoppers are paying about $12.50. A 12-pack of Coca-Cola cans sold for $6.97 - now roughly $20 for a 10-pack. Chicken in a Biskit crackers were $1.47, Flora spread was $1.47, and sandwich bread came in at the same price.Even nostalgic Christmas treats feel almost surreal by comparison. A 200g Ferrero Rocher family pack was $6.27, and now it's closer to $19. A Christmascatalogue from 1996 has resurfaced online - and it has sent Australians spiralling into nostalgia, disbelief, and mild existential dread The festive flyer from Colesshows Christmas staples priced so low they now read like a typo, prompting thousands to compare the figures with today's supermarket costs - and ask when Christmas groceries became a luxury purchaseCadbury Roses were $10.77 - today, many shoppers are paying $20 for smaller boxes. One commenter noted they'd just bought Roses from Woolworths at the same price, 'except they were half-price and only 380g instead of 500g'.Everyday pantry staples told the same story. Mars Bars were 75 cents, Arnott's plain biscuits were $1.27, Cottee's cordial was $3.37. Moccona freeze-dried coffee used to cost $10.47 - now it's about $23.60. Even yoghurt, frozen pizza and ice cream looked dramatically cheaper, with Paul's version of two-litre ice cream no longer existing at all.But it was the meat section that truly stopped people scrolling.Lamb, once an everyday protein in many Australian households, was shockingly affordable. Even yoghurt, frozen pizza and ice cream looked dramatically cheaper, with Paul's version of two-litre ice cream no longer existing at all Grocery price comparisons Extra large BBQ chicken ($5.97)Coca-Cola 12 x 375ml cans ($6.97)Chicken in a Biskit ($1.47)Flora spread ($1.47)Ferrero Rocher family pack ($6.27)Cadbury Roses 500g ($10.77)Cottee's cordial ($3.37)Arnott's plain biscuits ($1.27)Mars Bar (75c)Moccona freeze-dried coffee 200g ($10.47)McCain frozen family pizza ($2.97)Farmland ham ($7.99 per kg)Steggles frozen turkey breast roast 1.7kg ($25.95)Side of lamb ($1.99 per kg)BBQ blade steak ($3.99 per kg)Silverside roast ($4.99 per kg)Beef mince ($5.99 per kg) White sandwich bread ($1.47)Flora Margarine Spread ($1.47) Extra large BBQ chicken ($12.50)Coca-Cola 10-pack ($20)Chicken in a Biskit ($4)Flora spread ($8.95)Ferrero Rocher family pack ($19)Cadbury Roses 380g ($20)Cottee's cordial ($5.50)Arnott's plain biscuits ($2.50)Mars Bar ($2.50)Moccona freeze-dried coffee 200g ($23.60)McCain frozen family pizza ($8.80)Ham (about $32 per kg)Frozen turkey breast roast (about $19.50 per kg)Side of lamb ($23 per kg)BBQ blade steak ($24 per kg)Silverside roast ($12 per kg)Beef mince ($22 per kg)White sandwich bread ($2.70)Flora Margarine Spread ($5.25) A side of lamb sold for $1.99 per kilogram, BBQ blade steak was $3.99 per kilo, beef mince was $5.99 per kilo. Today, those prices have climbed to $20-$24 per kilogram - and in some cases far higher.'Those lamb prices are wild,' one commenter wrote.Another reflected on how diets have quietly changed. 'I remember eating way more lamb cutlets and chops as a kid than I have in the past 10-15 years. It's a shame, because I love lamb, but it's such a luxury now.'Several people pointed out that inflation alone doesn't explain the jump. While $2 in 1996 is worth just over $4 today, lamb prices have increased by far more than that. 'My mum used to buy a bag of lamb shanks for our German shepherd for a couple of dollars. Now that would cost more than $30,' a shopper recalled. In 1996, a side of lamb sold for $1.99 per kilogram, BBQ blade steak was $3.99 per kilo, beef mince was $5.99 per kilo Once-cheap cuts like lamb shoulder, shanks, and brisket were rebranded as gourmet thanks to cooking shows, slow-cookers and food blogsOthers blamed changing food culture. Once-cheap cuts like lamb shoulder, shanks, and brisket were rebranded as gourmet thanks to cooking shows, slow-cookers and food blogs. 'People realised the cheaper cuts are actually delicious when done right,' one user wrote. 'Demand skyrockets, price goes up. It's why pork belly is so expensive now too.'There was also a strong sense that it wasn't just prices that had changed - but portions. 'Not only have the prices gone up,' one commenter said, 'the sizes have shrunk.'As shoppers compared $2.97 frozen pizzas to today's near-$10 versions, and $7.99-per-kilo ham to today's $30-plus cuts, the thread began to read less like a price comparison and more like collective group therapy.'Well, that's sent me into a spiralling depression' one concluded.'Ahh nostalgia for affordable groceries,' another shared. While the catalogue doesn't show the date it was printed, some pointed out that Doritos corn chips featuring Tazos suggest the collectibles were released in 1996.'This is 1996. Still have that set of The Simpsons Tazos and they still smell like Doritos,' one shared.For many Australians was a reminder of a time when Christmas groceries didn't require strategic planning, supermarket hopping, or a careful scan for yellow discount stickers.
