
Coles Opening Hours: Store Times, Refund Policy & Facts
Anyone who has dashed to the supermarket on a Sunday or a public holiday knows the frustration of finding the doors locked. Coles, one of Australia’s two major grocery chains, runs most of its 857 stores on a standard 7am‑to‑10pm schedule, but there are important exceptions — this guide covers those variations, refund policies, and the price promise.
Number of Coles stores in Australia: 857 (as of 2024) ·
Founded: 1914 ·
Typical opening hours: 7am to 10pm (most stores) ·
Market share: ~28% of Australian grocery market ·
Parent company: Coles Group (ASX: COL)
Quick snapshot
- Standard trading hours: 7am–10pm for most stores (Coles store locator)
- Coles is Australian‑owned and founded in 1914 (Wikipedia – Coles Supermarkets)
- Price promise: free item if scanned higher than shelf price (Coles Help)
- Exact hours for every individual store; not all follow the same 7am–10pm schedule.
- Whether all stores observe the same public‑holiday schedule; state regulations create variation.
- Specific refund timeline for out‑of‑stock online orders – policy is conditional.
- Public‑holiday trading restrictions are updated annually by state governments – check in advance.
- Coles posts temporary changes on its store‑locator pages and social media.
- Continued scrutiny of extended Sunday trading hours in states with restrictive laws.
- Expansion of small‑format stores (Coles Local) that often have bespoke hours.
The table below compiles the key corporate facts you need to know.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1914 |
| Headquarters | Melbourne, Victoria |
| CEO | Leah Weckert |
| Number of stores | 857 (2024) |
| Market cap | ~$15 billion |
| Parent | Coles Group (ASX: COL) |
What time does Coles shut in Windsor?
Windsor, like most suburbs, follows Coles’ standard model, but local shopping‑centre rules can shift the closing hour. The Coles Windsor Riverview Shopping Centre store typically runs 7am–10pm, though public holidays may alter that.
What are the typical closing times for Coles stores?
- Most suburban and metro stores close at 10pm, seven days a week (Coles store locator – typical hours).
- Larger city‑centre stores sometimes open until 11pm or midnight, while small‑format stores (Coles Local) may close at 8pm or 9pm.
- Closing times are consistent across weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays for the majority of stores.
How to check specific store hours online
- Use the Coles store finder – enter a suburb or postcode to see exact opening and closing times.
- Google Maps also displays Coles hours, sourced from the chain’s data feed; updates are usually reflected within 24 hours of a change.
- For Windsor specifically, the Riverview Shopping Centre website may list centre‑wide trading hours that override store defaults.
The pattern is clear: a standard schedule dominates, but local centre rules can override it without notice.
What are Coles opening hours on Sunday?
Sundays are busy shopping days, and Coles keeps most of its doors open on the same schedule as weekdays. However, smaller stores and states with restricted Sunday trading may differ.
Do all Coles stores open on Sundays?
- Yes – virtually all Coles stores trade on Sundays. Reduced hours apply only in a handful of small‑format or regional stores.
- In South Australia, Sunday trading hours are generally shorter (11am–5pm for many stores) because of state legislation (Coles store locator).
What time do Coles open on Sunday?
- For the majority, Sunday opening is 7am and closing is 10pm – the same as Monday through Saturday.
- In SA, most suburban Coles open 11am–5pm; city‑centre stores may run 11am–5pm or 12pm–5pm.
What are Coles opening hours on Saturday?
- Saturday hours mirror weekday hours for nearly all stores: 7am–10pm.
- Some city‑centre stores may open earlier at 6am, and a handful close at 11pm.
One pattern emerges across the two major chains: on restricted public holidays like Anzac Day, both Coles and Woolworths follow almost identical state‑by‑state rules.
| State / Territory | Coles hours | Woolworths hours |
|---|---|---|
| South Australia (suburban stores) | 12pm–9pm | 12pm–9pm |
| South Australia (CBD stores) | 12pm–5pm | 12pm–5pm |
| Queensland | Closed all day | Closed all day |
| Victoria | Open from 1pm | Open from 1pm |
| Tasmania | Open from 12:30pm | Open from 12:30pm |
| Australian Capital Territory | Open (normal hours) | Open (normal hours) |
Source: 7NEWS Australia (news outlet)
On Anzac Day, shoppers in Queensland face a full day without Coles or Woolworths, while those in SA, Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT get afternoon trading. The identical hours across both chains show how state regulations override competitive strategy.
Does Coles refund out of stock items?
If you order online and an item is out of stock, Coles offers a refund or replacement, but the process comes with conditions that many shoppers overlook.
How to request a refund for out-of-stock items
- Report the missing item through the Coles Online Help centre or by calling customer service within 48 hours of delivery (Coles Help – refund policy).
- For home‑delivery orders, Coles will refund the price of the out‑of‑stock item to your original payment method.
- If you collected the order (Click & Collect), the refund is processed to your Coles Online account and can be used on the next shop.
What is the Coles refund policy?
- Standard refunds and exchanges for change‑of‑mind are not accepted on perishable or personal‑care items – see the full list on the Coles returns page.
- Faulty or unsafe products can be returned for a full refund, regardless of the original purchase date.
Shoppers who rely on online orders need to act fast: failure to report an out‑of‑stock item within the 48‑hour window usually means forfeiting the refund. The policy is tighter than the 30‑day window for physical returns on faulty goods.
The implication: set a reminder as soon as your delivery arrives, or you may lose your entitlement.
What is the Coles price promise?
Coles promises that if an item scans at the register at a higher price than the shelf price, you get that item for free – up to a limit. This policy has been running for years and covers thousands of products.
How does the Coles price promise work?
- When a product scans higher than the shelf label, the first item is free (capped at $50 per item) and subsequent identical items are charged at the correct shelf price.
- The policy applies to most grocery items, but excludes alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, and services like lottery tickets (Coles Help – Price Promise).
- It is automatically applied at the checkout; you do not need to ask for it.
What happens if an item scans at a higher price?
- The checkout operator will correct the price and give you the first item free.
- If you notice an error after leaving the store, you can request a refund at the service desk, but the “free item” benefit is only honoured at the time of purchase.
“Our Price Promise ensures that if an item scans at a higher price than the shelf price, you get that item free. It’s a commitment to accurate pricing and customer trust.”
Coles Help centre
The catch: you must spot the error at the register to get the free item — leaving the store forfeits that benefit.
Which country owns Coles?
Coles is entirely Australian – founded in Melbourne in 1914, it remains a publicly traded company on the Australian Securities Exchange.
Is Coles Australian-owned?
- Yes. Coles was founded by George J. Coles in Collingwood, Victoria, in 1914 (Wikipedia – Coles Supermarkets).
- After being owned by the Wesfarmers conglomerate for over a decade, Coles Group demerged and returned to the ASX as an independent company in November 2018.
Who owns Coles now?
- Coles Group Limited (ASX code: COL) is the parent company, with a market capitalisation of about $15 billion (ASX – Coles Group).
- The largest shareholders are institutional investors such as AustralianSuper and Vanguard, alongside a wide base of retail shareholders.
Steps to find Coles opening hours for any store
- Go to the Coles store finder.
- Enter your suburb, postcode or the store’s name.
- Select the store from the list to see its daily opening and closing times.
- Check the “Public holiday” tab for any special hours on upcoming holidays.
- If the store is in a shopping centre, verify centre hours separately – they may override the store’s standard times.
Confirmed facts
- Coles is Australian‑owned and founded in 1914.
- Coles operates 857 stores across Australia (2024).
- Most stores are open 7am–10pm daily.
- Price promise: free item if overcharged at the register.
What’s unclear
- Exact hours for every individual store – always verify via the store locator.
- Whether all stores follow the same public‑holiday schedule; state regulations create variation.
- Specific refund timeline for out‑of‑stock online items – policy is conditional and time‑sensitive.
Quotes & expert perspectives
“Treat everyone with respect and dignity. Act with honesty and integrity. Take personal responsibility.”
“If an item scans at a higher price than the shelf price, you get that item free. It’s our promise to you.”
Coles Help centre (customer service)
For shoppers who rely on accurate store hours, the implication is clear: always verify via the Coles store locator or Google Maps before heading out, especially on public holidays. A five‑second check can save a wasted trip. For the chain itself, the trade‑off between consistent national hours and state‑by‑state regulatory compliance means that local exceptions are here to stay.
Related reading: Coles opening hours vs Woolworths public holiday store locator · Coles opening hours vs Woolworths public holiday store locator
Frequently asked questions
Do Coles stores open on Christmas Day?
No. All Coles stores are closed on Christmas Day. Trading resumes on Boxing Day, though hours may vary by state.
What time does Coles open on weekdays?
Most Coles stores open at 7am and close at 10pm, Monday to Friday. Some city stores open earlier (6am) and close later (11pm).
Is there a Coles open 24 hours near me?
No. Coles does not operate any 24‑hour stores. The latest closing time for most stores is 10pm; a few city stores close at midnight.
How do I find Coles opening hours for a specific store?
Use the Coles store finder or search for the store on Google Maps. Both sources show up‑to‑date hours and any holiday changes.
Are Coles opening hours different on public holidays in NSW?
Yes. In NSW, most Coles stores open on public holidays but may have reduced hours (e.g., 8am–8pm). Easter Sunday and Good Friday have restricted trading. Always check the store locator before travelling.
Can I check Coles hours on Google Maps?
Yes. Google Maps pulls hours from Coles’ data feed. Updates usually appear within 24 hours of a change. However, for public holidays, the Coles store locator is more reliable.
What time does Coles close on Good Friday?
In most states, Coles is closed on Good Friday. Exceptions exist in New South Wales and Victoria where some stores may open with restricted hours – check the Coles store locator for your local store.