Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

1 November 2026 · Issue 154

Black Friday Starts Early

Issue 154 · Sunday 1 November 2026

It is the first of November, and Black Friday is still almost four weeks away. Yet the sale emails have already started, and some retailers are calling their discounts “early access”. Before you buy anything this weekend, it pays to know what a genuine discount looks like, and what the consumer watchdog has already caught retailers doing.

Today’s brief leads on the early start to the Black Friday sales and how to check a was price, then covers online fashion brands opening real shops, the rescue of footwear chain Betts, and Tuesday’s Reserve Bank decision. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

Black Friday has started early, so check the was price

Finder’s Mariam Gabaji reported on 30 October that Black Friday falls on Friday 27 November this year, with Cyber Monday on Monday 30 November, but that early deals are already appearing, including offers from Lenovo, LG, Myer and JB Hi Fi. Finder said its research shows Australians spend an average of $531 on Black Friday alone, contributing to an estimated $4.5 billion in national spending.

Retailers are leaning on these events because shoppers are waiting for them. JB Hi Fi told the ASX on 29 October that customers remained focused on value and were “increasingly shopping during promotional events”, and that its sales had slowed in October ahead of the Black Friday and Christmas trading periods.

That makes the fine print matter. The ACCC said in April that around half of the 50 retailers it reviewed in its 2025 Black Friday sweep made concerning claims. It listed countdown timers that did not match the true end of a sale, “sitewide” claims with less prominent exclusions, “up to” discounts that applied to very few products, and misleading was and now or strikethrough prices. “Fine print disclaimers and exclusions buried in terms and conditions disguise the true extent of sales,” ACCC Deputy Chair Catriona Lowe said.

The regulator has followed through. On 29 September the ACCC announced that furniture retailer James Lane paid a $19,800 penalty after it allegedly advertised its Black Friday sale as ending on 3 December 2025, while the discounted prices continued for another week, and that play equipment retailer Vuly paid penalties totalling $39,600 over countdown timers that reset to a new end date while the same or higher discount continued. “Businesses must ensure any sale end dates, countdown timers or limited time discount claims are genuine,” Ms Lowe said. Paying an infringement notice is not an admission of a breach.

For shoppers, the practical steps are simple. Write down or screenshot the price of anything you plan to buy now, so you can tell in late November whether the Black Friday price is really lower. Treat a countdown timer as marketing, not a deadline. Read “up to” as the best case, and check that the item you want is not excluded from a sitewide offer. The ACCC itself suggests checking prices before sales events so you can judge whether a discount is genuine.

Online fashion brands open real shops

ABC News reported on 31 October (no byline shown) that brands built online are moving into bricks and mortar even as legacy fashion chains collapse. Princess Polly, which opened at Pacific Fair on the Gold Coast in July, has opened in Brisbane this weekend, and chief merchandise officer Courtney Dres said customers had told the company they wanted physical stores. QUT retail expert Gary Mortimer said “speed is now becoming the currency of retailers”, while CreditorWatch chief executive Patrick Coghlan said conditions in fashion retail were likely to get tougher before they improve.

For shoppers, a store means you can try on before you buy and skip the return post. Check whether the online price, sale offers and returns policy are the same in store before you assume they match.

Betts rescued, six stores to close

Inside Retail’s Harry Booth reported on 30 October that footwear retailer Betts has emerged from voluntary administration through a $13.3 million rescue deal led by the founding family, under a deed of company arrangement secured by administrators Pitcher Partners. Three stores in New South Wales, two in Western Australia and one in Victoria will close. Chief executive Michael Breckler said some stores saw sales triple during the four months of administration. If your nearest Betts store is one of those closing, check before you travel, and use any gift card or credit note sooner rather than later.

Rate decision on Tuesday

The Reserve Bank’s calendar shows its Monetary Policy Board meets on 2 and 3 November, with the decision due at 2.30pm Sydney time on Tuesday 3 November (1.30pm in Queensland). AAP reported (no byline shown) that markets are bracing for a fifth rate rise this year, and that a further 25 basis point increase would take the cash rate to 4.85 per cent, its highest level since 2008. If you have a variable rate loan, work out what that would add to your repayments before you plan your Black Friday and Christmas spending.

Today’s shopping note

Use this Sunday to make a short list of the things you genuinely need before Christmas, and note today’s price beside each one. That list is your best protection against a countdown timer. Read “up to” as a range claim, and confirm size, stock, delivery cost and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: ACCC media releases, 14 April 2026 and 29 September 2026 (Catriona Lowe quoted); JB Hi Fi FY27 Sales Update to the ASX, 29 October 2026; Finder, Mariam Gabaji, 30 October 2026; ABC News, 31 October 2026 (no byline shown; Courtney Dres, Gary Mortimer and Patrick Coghlan quoted); Inside Retail, Harry Booth, 30 October 2026 (Michael Breckler quoted); Reserve Bank of Australia calendar; AAP, 29 October 2026 (no byline shown). Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero photo: MDRX, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Gold Coast).

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest discounts we verified on in stock items from our latest retailer scan, with every price, was price and stock level rechecked this morning, 1 November.

We attempted all 179 retailer sale URLs in our 31 October scan pool and retrieved usable sale content from 140. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores where we confirmed a ticketed sale price against a was price on an item listed as available when checked. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Each percentage is the verified example shown, not a discount on every item in store. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountEclectic HouseFashionSale across its brand range. The Scotch & Soda Bell organic mercerised cotton slim fit chino in Desert is $21.25 from $199.95 (about 89% off), listed as available in sizes 27/32 and 30/32 when checked. Check the size guide before ordering.89%OFF2M.J. BaleMenswearMenswear sale. The Edgar Shirt in Blue is $29 from $129.95 (about 78% off) in size 48 only, and the Alcard Shirt in Navy is also $29, from $110, in sizes 38, 39 and 42 when checked.78%OFF399 BikesCyclingOn sale range. The 100% Ridecamp Youth Long Sleeve MTB Jersey in Navy and Slate is $14 from $49.95 (about 72% off), listed as available in youth sizes small to extra large.72%OFF4Oliver ThomasKids & BabyChildren’s boutique sale. The OYOY Happy Circus Single Bedding Set is $50 from $179 (about 72% off), listed as available when checked. Check the quilt and pillow sizes against your child’s bed.72%OFF5Eckersley’sArt & CraftArt supplies sale. The STAEDTLER FIMO Leather Tool Box kit is $17.95 from $44.95 (about 60% off), listed as available. A handy start on handmade Christmas gifts.60%OFF

% discounts shown are for the verified example in each card. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified discount among eligible retailers, rechecked this morning, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

JB Hi Fi: if a cordless vacuum is on your list, the Dyson V15 Detect Absolute is $749 from $1,249 (about 40% off) in this week’s hottest deals, listed as available when checked this morning. Note today’s price and compare it again on Black Friday before you decide.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero photo: MDRX, CC BY SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

31 October 2026 · Issue 153

Shoppers Split the Weekly Shop

Issue 153 · Saturday 31 October 2026

If your Saturday shop now takes in two or three stores, an app and a loyalty card, you are not alone. Coles says that is exactly how Australians are buying groceries this spring, and it has just told the market it will spend more on lower prices to win them back before Christmas.

Today’s brief leads on Coles’ first quarter sales results and what its price push could mean for your weekend trolley, then covers a plant sensor sold at Bunnings that has been recalled over button battery warnings, the latest inflation figures ahead of Tuesday’s Reserve Bank decision, and a Halloween shopping note. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

Coles says shoppers are splitting the weekly shop

Coles Group told the ASX on 30 October that supermarket sales revenue rose 3.6 per cent to $10.32 billion in the 13 weeks to 27 September, with comparable sales up 2.7 per cent, compared with 4.6 per cent a year earlier. Online supermarket sales grew 22.9 per cent and now make up 15.7 per cent of supermarket sales, while liquor sales fell 1.3 per cent to $831 million. Coles said customers remained value conscious, with continued cross shopping across retailers and channels and more use of promotions and loyalty programs, and that Flybuys points redeemed at Coles rose 16 per cent after it introduced Pay with Points.

The outlook was the bigger news for shoppers. Coles said cost of living pressures and elevated competitor promotional activity had continued in the first four weeks of the second quarter, that supermarket sales growth had moderated, and that it was making targeted investments in value, including the recent relaunch of its Every Day Price program and its largest ever Exclusive to Coles Christmas range. Together with higher fuel related costs, it now expects first half supermarket earnings to be in line with last year. “We know household budgets are under pressure and customers are shopping more deliberately across retailers and channels,” managing director and chief executive Leah Weckert said in the release.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Millie Muroi reported that the update wiped about $3.5 billion off Coles’ market value in early trading. Ms Weckert told a media call that customers were “really seeking out value now by buying more specials, and they’re using their loyalty points”, and that young families and younger shoppers were increasingly using AI tools, price comparison apps and social media to work out where the cheapest place to buy things was. She named grapes and berries, tomatoes, corn, baby broccoli, eggs and vitamins as items currently in price deflation. Citi analyst Adrian Lemme told the Herald that supermarket sales had clearly been affected by Woolworths’ pricing strategies.

AAP reported that Ms Weckert said Coles was “not happy” with momentum in its bricks and mortar stores. “We are continuing to see a really good level of customer count coming through the store, but we’re seeing a lot more splitting of baskets,” she said. AAP reported that Coles shares were down 8 per cent to $21.55 after lunch, that RBC Capital Markets analyst Michael Toner called it “a disappointing update”, and that Woolworths had earlier this week reported a 6.9 per cent rise in supermarket sales. Reuters’ Sherin Sunny and Nikita Maria Jino reported that the shares finished the day 7.7 per cent lower at $21.66, their steepest single day fall since March 2020, after falling as much as 12.8 per cent during the session.

For shoppers, a supermarket price fight is good news only if you check it. Before this weekend’s shop, compare unit prices rather than shelf tickets, note which items carry a long term price promise and how long it runs, and look at the produce Coles itself says is cheaper right now. Splitting your shop can save money, but count the extra fuel and time, and check whether points you are chasing are worth more than a lower price at another store.

Plant sensor sold at Bunnings recalled

Yahoo Lifestyle Australia’s Carina Stathis reported on 30 October that the Plant With Willow plant sensor, an indoor gardening device that measures soil moisture, light, temperature and humidity, has been recalled because it does not carry the button battery safety information required in Australia. The recall covers model number 026507 SENSOR S, sold by Plant With Willow and Bunnings nationally and online from November 2023 until early August 2026. The ACCC warns that children who swallow button batteries can suffer choking, severe internal burns or death, and that serious injury can occur within two hours.

Owners will receive an app notice with a button battery warning and battery replacement instructions, as the printed manual does not include them, and can contact Willow at support@plantwithwillow.com.au. If you have small children, store any device with a button battery out of reach and check current recalls at ACCC Product Safety Australia, which lists the Willow plant sensor recall under 29 October. Plant With Willow’s own recall notice (company notice, no byline) says affected sensors were bought between 1 November 2023 and 6 August 2026, and has an updated user guide to download.

Inflation lifts before Tuesday’s rate call

The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on 28 October that the Consumer Price Index rose 4.3 per cent in the 12 months to September, up from 4.0 per cent in August, with housing up 5.2 per cent and transport up 8.7 per cent on higher fuel prices. Automotive fuel rose 9.4 per cent in September alone. In the same release, food and non alcoholic drinks were up 3.2 per cent over the year, while clothing and footwear rose just 0.4 per cent and furnishings and household equipment 0.8 per cent.

The Reserve Bank’s published calendar shows its Monetary Policy Board meets on Monday and Tuesday, with the decision due at 2.30pm Sydney time on Tuesday 3 November. For your budget, that means groceries and fuel are where the pressure sits, while clothing and homewares prices have barely moved over the year, so there is less reason to rush those purchases before Black Friday. If you have a variable rate loan, work out now what a further rise would add to your repayments before you plan Christmas spending.

Today’s shopping note

It is Halloween today. If you still need lollies or a costume, use click and collect rather than paying for rushed delivery, and check opening hours before you drive. For the weekly shop, start with the produce in season and on special, and keep receipts if you are comparing stores over a few weeks. Read up to as a range claim, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: Coles Group 2027 First Quarter Sales Results to the ASX, 30 October 2026 (Leah Weckert quoted); The Sydney Morning Herald, Millie Muroi, 30 October 2026 (Leah Weckert and Adrian Lemme quoted); AAP, 30 October 2026, no byline shown (Leah Weckert and Michael Toner quoted); Reuters, Sherin Sunny and Nikita Maria Jino, 30 October 2026 (closing share price); Yahoo Lifestyle Australia, Carina Stathis, 30 October 2026, on an ACCC Product Safety Australia recall; Plant With Willow recall notice (company notice, no byline); Reserve Bank of Australia, Coming Up calendar (meeting dates, no byline); Australian Bureau of Statistics, Consumer Price Index, Australia, September 2026, released 28 October 2026. Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero photo: Bahnfrend, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (Coles Garden City, Booragoon, 2026).

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest discounts we verified on in stock items, with every price, was price and stock level checked this morning, 31 October.

We attempted all 153 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 119. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores where we confirmed a ticketed sale price against a was price on an item listed as available when checked. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Each percentage is the verified example shown, not a discount on every item in store. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountPrincess PollyWomen’s FashionSwimwear and fashion sale with deep end of season markdowns. The Nayeli Tie Side Bikini Bottoms in Pink are $3 from $45 (about 93% off), showing in size AU 16 only when checked this morning. Check the shipping cost against a $3 item.93%OFF2LightspotLightingLighting specials page. The Centric Single Pendant (online only) is $19.99 from a ticketed $249 (about 92% off), listed as available this morning in Black 3000K, Black 5000K and Gold 3000K. Allow for an electrician to install it.92%OFF3Surf StitchSurf & BeachwearSurf and beachwear sale. The Its Now Cool Soleil One Piece in Catalina is $15 from $180 (about 92% off), showing in size L only when checked this morning. Check the size guide before ordering a single size item.92%OFF4Ted’s CamerasCameras & Creator GearClearance range. The Joby Wavo Lav Microphone with windscreen is $19.95 from $79.95 (about 75% off), listed as available when checked this morning. Check it suits your phone or camera socket before ordering.75%OFF5Big Bedding AustraliaBeddingSale products range. The Park Avenue 175 GSM Egyptian Cotton Flannelette Quilt Cover Set in Ditty is $68.83 from $169.95 in Queen (about 59% off), with single to super king sizes listed as available when checked this morning.59%OFF

% discounts shown are for the verified example in each card. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified discount among eligible retailers, checked this morning, 31 October, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

SUNNYLiFE: with summer weekends ahead, the sale includes the Compact Beach Umbrella in Butternut at $64.99 from $129.99 (about 50% off), listed as available when checked this morning. Check the size and UV rating details on the product page, and add delivery before comparing.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero photo: Bahnfrend, CC BY SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

30 October 2026 · Issue 152

Shoppers Hold Out for Black Friday

Issue 152 · Friday 30 October 2026

Plenty of Australian households are doing the same sum this week: buy now, or wait four weeks for Black Friday. Yesterday’s trading updates from some of the country’s biggest retailers show just how many shoppers have chosen to wait, and that decision is now showing up in the sales numbers.

Today’s brief leads on JB Hi Fi, Bunnings and Super Retail Group all reporting a softer October as customers hold off for promotions, then covers an infant sleep product recall from a Temu seller, a Christmas spending survey with a warning about overspending in the sales, and a quick note on what to watch next. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

Retailers feel the Black Friday wait

JB Hi Fi told the ASX on 29 October that total sales at JB Hi Fi Australia fell 0.4 per cent in the September quarter, with comparable sales down 1.4 per cent. The Good Guys was broadly flat, and premium appliance retailer e&s was weaker, with comparable sales down 4.5 per cent. The company said customers remained focused on value and were increasingly shopping during promotional events, and that in October the group had seen sales slow ahead of the important Black Friday and Christmas trading periods.

The Australian Financial Review’s retail reporter Campbell Kwan reported on 29 October that Bunnings, JB Hi Fi and Super Retail each said October had proved a difficult month as consumers delayed purchases and reined in spending to cope with higher interest rates and fuel costs, with retailers bracing for a further slowdown if the Reserve Bank lifts rates again on Tuesday. Dow Jones Newswires’ David Winning reported that Wesfarmers said Bunnings started the quarter strongly before lower sales across seasonal categories and the commercial segment weighed on performance, while Kmart and Officeworks were trading broadly in line with the second half of the 2026 financial year. Managing director Rob Scott said the retail divisions remained focused on providing customers with even better value, service and convenience as Black Friday and Christmas approach.

Super Retail Group’s AGM trading update showed group like for like sales up just 0.2 per cent in the first quarter. Supercheap Auto rose 2.5 per cent and rebel 0.3 per cent, while BCF fell 1.1 per cent and Macpac fell 11.7 per cent. The company said higher fuel prices weighed particularly on BCF, and that promotional cycles and milder winter conditions affected Macpac.

AAP reported that JB Hi Fi chief executive Nick Wells told shareholders at the annual meeting in Sydney that rising memory demand from artificial intelligence and data centres was pushing up electronics prices. “In computers, we’ve seen circa 50 per cent price rises over the last six months, in gaming, it’s kind of more 10 to 20 per cent,” Mr Wells said, adding that suppliers were trying to absorb increases as much as they could. ChannelNews’ David Richards reported that Barrenjoey analyst Tom Kierath told the AFR that October seems especially weak, partly as consumers anticipate Black Friday, and nine.com.au’s Tilli Andrew quoted Nine finance editor Chris Kohler noting that the September quarter does not include Black Friday, when sales boom nationally. The New Daily’s Kaaren Morrissey described JB Hi Fi as a bellwether for the discretionary retail sector.

For shoppers, waiting can work, but only with a plan. If you are holding off on a laptop, console, tool or appliance, record today’s price and model number now so you can tell whether a Black Friday ticket is a genuine saving. With computer prices reported to have risen sharply this year, compare the same model across retailers rather than relying on a was price. Check whether a deal is a price drop or a bundle, confirm stock and delivery dates for Christmas, and if your old device is failing now, weigh the cost of waiting against a reasonable price today.

Temu crib recalled over suffocation risk

ACCC Product Safety Australia listed a recall on 27 October for a backpack with foldable crib sold through Temu by the seller ss ojjf. The recall notice says the product does not meet the mandatory standard for infant sleep products, has not been tested to the mandatory safety standards and is missing the required warning information, with a risk of serious injury or death from entrapment or suffocation if a baby rolls against the side of the crib or the mattress. Consumers should stop using it immediately, keep it out of reach of children and contact the seller via Temu for a full refund.

If you bought a travel crib or bassinet from an online marketplace, check the listing against current recalls before your next trip, and treat any infant sleep product without clear Australian standard warnings with caution.

Christmas budgets lean on the sales

retailbiz’s Peter Kohn reported on 29 October on Pureprofile’s eighth annual Christmas Report, based on research among 1,015 Australians aged 18 to 64. It found 79 per cent of Australians were adjusting Christmas spending because of cost pressures, 35 per cent planned to spend less on gifts and 58 per cent planned to use promotions to manage Christmas spending. However, 47 per cent of Black Friday shoppers admitted they often spent more than planned. Pureprofile chief executive Martin Filz said consumers were focused on genuine value for money.

Kohn also reported that furniture retailer Nick Scali forecast first half underlying net profit of $28 million to $32 million, with written sales orders across Australia and New Zealand down 15 per cent in the September quarter. Before the sales start, set a gift and household budget, write a short list, and decide in advance what you will not buy just because it is discounted.

Today’s shopping note

Coles is scheduled to report its first quarter sales today, following Woolworths earlier this week, and the Reserve Bank meets on Tuesday. Halloween is tomorrow, so check click and collect options rather than paying for rushed delivery on costumes. Read up to as a range claim, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: JB Hi Fi FY27 Sales Update to the ASX, 29 October 2026; The Australian Financial Review, Campbell Kwan, 29 October 2026; Dow Jones Newswires via MarketScreener, David Winning, 29 October 2026 (Rob Scott quoted); Super Retail Group 2026 AGM Trading Update to the ASX, 29 October 2026; AAP, 29 October 2026 (Nick Wells quoted); ChannelNews, David Richards, 29 October 2026 (Tom Kierath quoted); nine.com.au, Tilli Andrew, 29 October 2026 (Chris Kohler quoted); The New Daily, Kaaren Morrissey, 29 October 2026; ACCC Product Safety Australia recall, 27 October 2026; retailbiz, Peter Kohn, 29 October 2026 (Martin Filz quoted). Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero photo: Nick D, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (JB Hi Fi computer section, Westfield Woden, April 2023).

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest discounts we verified on in stock items from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 153 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 118. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete dawn audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores where we confirmed a ticketed sale price against a was price on an item listed as available this morning. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Each percentage is the verified example shown, not a discount on every item in store. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountDECJUBAWomen’s WearAll sale range with deep clearance markdowns. The Contour Scoop Midi Dress in Olive is $9.95 from $139.95 (about 93% off), showing in size XS only when checked.93%OFF2Elite SupplementsHealth & FitnessSupplement sale with bundle markdowns. The Health Kick Starter Pack Box is $24 from a ticketed $278.60 (about 91% off). Check what the bundle includes before paying.91%OFF3Costume BoxCostumesClearance sale the day before Halloween. The Salt Margarita Womens Shirt is $5 from $27.99 (about 82% off). Allow for delivery timing if you need it this weekend.82%OFF4UGG AustraliaFootwearBoot sale with ticketed markdowns. The Luxury Bondi Lux Short in Black is $95 from $348 (about 73% off), available in womens sizes 5 and 6 when checked.73%OFF5Luxo LivingHomewaresFurniture and lighting specials. The Akiko 3 Light Metal Pendant in Light Grey is $29 from $89 (about 67% off). Add delivery before comparing.67%OFF

% discounts shown are for the verified example in each card. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified discount among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Scooter Hut: the sale includes the KAABO Skywalker 8S ECO800 electric scooter at $599 from $1,499 (about 60% off), listed as available in black, blue and red when checked. Check your state’s e scooter rules, warranty and delivery timing before ordering.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero photo: Nick D, CC BY SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

29 October 2026 · Issue 151

Check the Brand Before You Gift

Issue 151 · Thursday 29 October 2026

Christmas planning is already underway for many Australian households, and today’s news is a reminder that a familiar store name on a gift receipt is only as useful as the stock, brands and trading certainty behind it. That applies to a department store negotiating emergency inventory funding, to a freezer snack pulled for metal contamination, and to a supermarket update that shows shoppers chasing cheaper proteins.

Today’s brief leads on David Jones securing extra Christmas stock funding while its owners weigh a much smaller store network, then covers a national Bomberry recall, Woolworths’ first quarter sales update, and a survey warning that tighter returns policies can push shoppers away. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

David Jones buys Christmas stock time

The Australian Financial Review’s Carrie LaFrenz and Campbell Kwan reported on 28 October that David Jones has been handed $10 million in emergency capital from major lender Hilco Capital to buy stock for critical pre Christmas sales. Hilco agreed after weeks of talks over inventory levels, amid concern the department store did not have enough stock for the busiest trading period of the year.

The AFR report says the funding follows a lending covenant breach, and that a separate Hilco request for extra money to pay suppliers was rejected because the existing facility is secured against inventory on the shop floor. Chief executive Erica Berchtold is negotiating with landlords over a plan to cut David Jones’ 38 store network by more than half. Scentre Group, operator of Westfield centres, is its largest landlord with 17 outlets. Berchtold is also seeking the release of funds from about $70 million in bank guarantees, mostly held by Scentre, in exchange for handing back selected stores.

retailbiz’s Staff Writer summarised the AFR reporting on 28 October, noting David Jones missed payments to some concession operators last Friday before outstanding amounts were paid this week, and that a 20 week supplier payment program introduced earlier this year prompted some brands to withhold stock. The retailer booked a $95.5 million pre tax loss in the year to 29 June, deeper than the prior year’s $74.1 million loss.

The Sydney Morning Herald’s Jessica Yun reported on 27 October that Anchorage Capital directors are in intense discussions to decide by Christmas what the long term future and size of the business should look like beyond the holiday period, which could involve store closures. A Hilco spokesperson said the lender had funded above the agreed facility to lift stock holdings for Christmas trade and remained supportive. Yun also reported that designer labels including Effie Kats, Acler, Significant Other and Aston Studio had moved to exclusive arrangements with Myer, while R.M. Williams ended its David Jones relationship earlier.

Inside Retail’s Stephanie Caite Chadwick published a 27 October deep dive on the gap between David Jones’ $250 million transformation promise and the immediate task of keeping stores stocked and trading, covering supplier caution, brand exits and earlier store closures at Tuggerah and Castle Towers. Inside Retail’s Harry Booth reported on 28 October that Anchorage said it continues to support the company through weak consumer confidence and structural change in department stores.

For shoppers, the practical checks are simple. Do not assume every brand you remember is still on the David Jones floor or site. If you are buying a gift from a label that has already moved, compare Myer or the brand’s own store. Treat gift cards and returns as dependent on ongoing trading, keep receipts, and prefer payment methods with clear chargeback rights if a purchase is large. Confirm stock, size and pickup or delivery timing before you rely on a Christmas gift from a store under active network review.

Bomberry snack recalled over metal risk

Food Standards Australia New Zealand published a recall on 28 October for four Bomberry 150g chocolate coated fruit products sold at Woolworths and independent retailers including IGA, Harris Farm and Drakes, nationally and online. The reason is foreign matter (metal). Best before dates up to and including 20 January 2028 are covered. Consumers should not eat the product and should return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

nine.com.au senior reporter Jo Abi reported that co founders Mel and Mike Taussig apologised to customers, asked people not to consume affected tubs, and offered refunds via contact@bomberry.au with proof of purchase and a photo. Check freezers and pantries if Bomberry is a regular buy in your household.

Woolworths sales rise as shoppers chase value

Woolworths Group’s first quarter sales update for the 14 weeks to 4 October 2026 showed group sales up 4.7 per cent to about $19.4 billion, with Australian Food sales up 6.9 per cent. AFR senior reporter Carrie LaFrenz reported on 28 October that chief executive Amanda Bardwell linked the result to more than $100 million of price cut investment over the past year, with cheap proteins such as lean mince posting strong growth as cost of living pressure bites.

An AAP report published the same day quoted Bardwell saying young families in particular are under real pressure, and noted average prices excluding tobacco fell 0.7 per cent while Christmas half leg hams are again ticketed at $8 a kilogram. Coles reports its first quarter on Friday. For household budgets, unit prices and planned protein choices still matter more than any single catalogue claim.

Tighter returns can push shoppers away

Ecommerce News finance editor Karen Joy Bacudo reported on 28 October on Blue Yonder survey findings that 84 per cent of Australian shoppers would cut back or stop buying from retailers that restrict returns for frequent returners. Refund speed ranked as the top returns priority for Australian respondents. Blue Yonder CEO Duncan Angove warned that flagging frequent returners and limiting returns is how retailers lose customers, including loyal ones.

Before a big online gift order, read the returns window, who pays return postage, and whether refunds are cash or store credit. If a retailer’s policy has tightened, factor that into whether you buy there or elsewhere.

Today’s shopping note

Halloween is Saturday 31 October. Confirm dispatch cut offs for costumes and party supplies, and add delivery fees before treating a deep clearance price as a bargain. Read “up to” as a range claim, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying. On department store gifts, check whether the brand is still stocked where you expect it to be.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: The Australian Financial Review, Carrie LaFrenz and Campbell Kwan, 28 October 2026; retailbiz Staff Writer, 28 October 2026; The Sydney Morning Herald, Jessica Yun, 27 October 2026; Inside Retail, Stephanie Caite Chadwick, 27 October 2026; Inside Retail, Harry Booth, 28 October 2026; Food Standards Australia New Zealand Bomberry recall, 28 October 2026; nine.com.au, Jo Abi, 28 October 2026 (Mel and Mike Taussig quoted); Woolworths Group first quarter sales release, 28 October 2026; AFR, Carrie LaFrenz, 28 October 2026 (Amanda Bardwell quoted); AAP, 28 October 2026; Ecommerce News, Karen Joy Bacudo, 28 October 2026 (Duncan Angove quoted). Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero photo: Nick D, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (David Jones, Westfield Hornsby, August 2026).

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest discounts we verified on in stock items from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 153 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 119. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete dawn audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores where we confirmed a ticketed sale price against a was price on an item listed as available this morning. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Each percentage is the verified example shown, not a discount on every item in store. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountMOSSMANWomen’s WearSale range with deep markdowns on selected dresses. The Sole Purpose Maxi Dress is $50 from $339.95 (85% off), showing in size 6 only when checked.85%OFF2ColetteAccessoriesAccessories sale with ticketed wallet markdowns. The Denim Chrissy Denim Wallet is $10 from $34.99 (about 71% off). Confirm stock before paying.71%OFF3BakuSwimwearSwimwear sale heading into summer. The Everglades D/E Cup Ring Front One Piece Swimsuit is $68.95 from $229.95 (70% off) in Jungle, sizes 10 to 18 when checked.70%OFF4BettsFootwearWomen’s sale boots with marked down pairs. Wider Fit DIXIE Tall Pointed Boots in Choc Reptile are $56.99 from $189.99 (about 70% off), available in sizes 5, 6 and 7.70%OFF5GAZMANMen’s WearMen’s sale jackets with ticketed markdowns. The Featherweight Jacket in Stone is $59.95 from $179.95 (about 67% off), available in sizes S to XXL when checked.67%OFF

% discounts shown are for the verified example in each card. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified discount among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Seed Heritage: the linen sale includes the Linen Ocelot Button Down Mini Dress at $39.95 from $169.95 (about 76% off), available in sizes 04 and 06 when checked. Confirm size and delivery timing before ordering.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero photo: Nick D, Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

28 October 2026 · Issue 150

Check the Claim Before Summer

Issue 150 · Wednesday 28 October 2026

Summer is close, Halloween is on Saturday, and today’s news has a common thread for shoppers: the claim on the label, the ticket or the message is only as good as the evidence behind it. That goes for the SPF number on a sunscreen bottle, the size of a familiar snack, and a stranger who says they have found your missing pet.

Today’s brief looks at tougher sunscreen testing proposed by the medicines regulator, a sobering new report on how many households are going without food, a practical way to track shrinkflation, and a scam that uses AI generated photos. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

Sunscreen SPF claims face tougher testing

On 27 October, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said it is developing reforms to strengthen sunscreen regulation, informed by almost 120 responses to a consultation held from March to May 2026. The planned changes include stronger testing requirements for SPF claims, quality requirements for specific sunscreen ingredients, limits on the SPF claims that cosmetic sunscreens can make, and a review of manufacturing guidance. The TGA says any changes to SPF labelling will need further review and consultation first.

ABC News reporter Rachel Carbonell reported that brands would have to test the SPF of the finished product, not just the base formula, before listing it, and keep testing over its shelf life. The changes follow CHOICE testing last year that found 16 of 20 popular sunscreens did not meet their SPF label claims. TGA chief medical adviser Robyn Langham told the ABC that Australians expect the SPF on the label to be backed by robust evidence.

CHOICE welcomed the proposals in a 27 October statement published by Head of Media Katelyn Cameron, but Director of Consumer Impact Andy Kelly said the TGA is not proposing to routinely monitor test results, and that results would only be provided confidentially. CHOICE wants them made public. For now, the practical advice does not change: buy a sunscreen you will actually reapply, use enough of it, and treat SPF as one layer alongside shade, a hat and clothing.

One in three households felt food insecurity

The Foodbank Hunger Report 2026 found one in three Australian households, about 3.6 million homes, experienced food insecurity in the past 12 months, up from 3.5 million in 2025. Foodbank says the rate stayed steady, but the number of affected households grew by about 100,000 because there are more households overall. The survey of 5,880 Australians ran from 9 July to 4 August 2026.

ABC News reporter Annabel Whitehouse reported that 69 per cent of food insecure households were experiencing it for the first time, and quoted Foodbank Australia chief executive Kylea Tink: food is the first thing households cut when money gets tight. SBS News, in a report by Camille Bianchi and Jasmine Kassis, described hunger becoming increasingly mainstream as cost of living pressure mounts. If your household is under pressure, unit pricing, home brand staples and planned meals matter more than any headline discount, and food relief services are there to be used.

Shrinkflation: keep your own receipts

Yahoo News Australia reporter Nikitha Martins spoke with Torrens University Australia economist Kris Iyer, who described shrinkflation as hiding in plain sight. His advice is to photograph and record the price and size of the products you buy regularly, so you can see when a pack gets smaller while the price stays put. The report cites a Finder survey in which 74 per cent of 1,010 respondents said they had noticed products getting smaller for the same price.

The simplest defence is still on the shelf ticket. Compare the unit price, such as the price per 100 grams, rather than the pack price, and check the net weight on a familiar product before assuming it is the same as last time.

Missing pet scams now use AI photos

ABC News reporter Neve Brissenden reported on 27 October that a Western Australian man who offered a $10,000 reward for his missing Irish wolfhound was sent an AI generated photo of the dog in a crate by someone claiming to have found him. A spokesperson for the ACCC’s National Anti Scam Centre told the ABC it was aware people with missing pets were being targeted, and that scammers use AI images to “prove” they have the pet before demanding money, gift cards or cryptocurrency.

If you are searching for a lost pet, share only what you need publicly, ask for a live video or an in person meeting in a safe public place, and never pay upfront. Report scams to the National Anti Scam Centre through Scamwatch.

Today’s shopping note

With Halloween on Saturday 31 October, check the stated dispatch time and delivery estimate for your postcode before relying on an online costume order. On very cheap clearance items, add the delivery fee before you decide the deal is worth it; a $3 or $5 item can cost more to post than to buy. Read “up to” as a range claim, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: Therapeutic Goods Administration media release on sunscreen reforms, 27 October 2026; ABC News, Rachel Carbonell, 27 October 2026 (Robyn Langham and Andy Kelly quoted); CHOICE statement by Katelyn Cameron, 27 October 2026 (Andy Kelly quoted); Foodbank Hunger Report 2026; ABC News, Annabel Whitehouse, 26 October 2026 (Kylea Tink quoted); SBS News, Camille Bianchi and Jasmine Kassis, 27 October 2026; Yahoo News Australia, Nikitha Martins, 27 October 2026 (Kris Iyer quoted); ABC News, Neve Brissenden, 27 October 2026 (ACCC National Anti Scam Centre spokesperson quoted). Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero photo: National Cancer Institute, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest discounts we verified on in stock items from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 153 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 120. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete dawn audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores where we confirmed a ticketed sale price against a was price on an item listed as available this morning. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Each percentage is the verified example shown, not a discount on every item in store. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountDECJUBAWomen’s WearSale range includes deep markdowns on selected tops. The Serafina Tip Shoulder Top in Riviera Print is $10 from $99.95 (90% off), showing in sizes 8 and 10 only when checked.90%OFF2Costume BoxCostumesClearance sale with Halloween three days away. The Salt Margarita Womens Shirt is $5 from $27.99 (about 82% off), and an Australian Christmas Dress in toddler size T2 is $10 from $48.99.82%OFF3UGG ExpressSlippersUGG boots sale advertised up to 80% off. Australian Shepherd velvet strap slippers are $3 from $15 (80% off) in several colours and sizes. Check delivery costs against a $3 item.80%OFF4Elite SupplementsSupplementsSale collection with ticketed markdowns. Vitamin C Gummy, 90 gummies, is $11 from $40.90 (about 73% off). Check the best before date on clearance supplements before ordering.73%OFF5Grahams JewellersJewelleryJewellery sale with marked down rings. A Sterling Silver Created Ruby and Zirconia Ring is $59 from $209 (about 72% off), available in sizes M and Q when checked.72%OFF

% discounts shown are for the verified example in each card. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified discount among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Robert Gordon: the Australian pottery brand’s sale includes the Dyson Salad Bowl in White at $20 from $69.95 (about 71% off) and the Vintage Table Mug in Jade at $5 from $17.95. Stock in the sale collection is limited, so confirm the item and delivery cost before ordering.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero photo: National Cancer Institute, public domain.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

27 October 2026 · Issue 149

Look Behind the Shelf Price

Issue 149 · Tuesday 27 October 2026

Halloween is four days away, but today’s sharper shopping lesson is not about costumes. It is about the price story behind ordinary groceries: who set the farm gate price, whether a long life carton in the cupboard is on a recall list, and whether a detergent or packaging claim is worth the shelf talk.

Today’s brief keeps those checks practical. A supermarket ticket is not proof of fair competition upstream, a pantry staple is not automatically safe because it is still sealed, and a big percentage on a fashion sale page is not the same as the price of the item you actually need. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

A supplier admission is part of the grocery price story

On 26 October, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said Perfection Fresh has admitted cartel conduct and has agreed to jointly submit that the Federal Court should order a $12 million penalty, subject to the Court’s confirmation. The ACCC says Perfection Fresh admitted that on eleven occasions between 2019 and 2020 it fixed the prices of broccoli, cauliflower and iceberg lettuce supplied to ALDI in New South Wales. ACCC Commissioner Luke Woodward said cartel conduct undermines competition and can increase prices, harming consumers and raising the cost of doing business. The ACCC’s case against other suppliers and individuals continues.

ABC News reporter Justine Longmore reported the same day that Perfection Fresh is Australia’s second largest fresh vegetable supplier, that the penalty remains subject to Federal Court approval, and that a company spokesperson said it took full responsibility and had cooperated with the ACCC.

For shoppers, this is not a reason to avoid broccoli tonight. It is a reminder that the number on a shelf ticket sits at the end of a supply chain, and that competition law enforcement is one of the tools that protects the price you pay for everyday produce.

Three food recalls deserve a cupboard check

Food Standards Australia New Zealand updated its Farmdale Full Cream Long Life Milk 1L recall on 26 October, after first publishing it on 23 October. ALDI Stores is recalling cartons with best before 05JUN27 sold at ALDI stores and online in Victoria and South Australia, plus two New South Wales stores at Albury and Lavington. The reason is microbial contamination (spoilage). Do not consume it. Return it to the place of purchase for a full refund. ALDI’s food recall hotline is 1800 709 993. Nine.com.au lifestyle writer Jo Abi also reported the New South Wales expansion.

A separate FSANZ notice published on 24 October covers Arla Protein Salted Caramel Flavour Pudding 200g and Arla Protein Chocolate Flavour Pudding 200g from Arla Foods Mayer Australia, due to foreign matter (glass). The salted caramel product was sold at Costco in NSW. The chocolate product was sold at Coles in NSW and Queensland, and at independent retailers including IGA and Supabarn in NSW and the ACT. Best before dates listed are 28/04/2027 (salted caramel) and 09/05/2027 (chocolate). Do not eat these products. Return them for a full refund.

FSANZ also published a 26 October recall for Maruto Nagasaki Castella cake 238g from ALOG Australia Wholesale, sold in Asian grocery stores in NSW, for undeclared egg and soy. Best before dates listed include 14 FEB 2027 and 25 JAN 2027. Anyone with an egg or soy allergy or intolerance should not eat it and should return it for a refund.

Packaging pressure and a detergent value check

A 27 October media release from SIX, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and Future Super reports YouGov polling of 1,504 Australian voters. Sixty two percent say major supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths are not doing enough on plastic pollution. Fifty two percent say they are likely to choose a product to avoid excess plastic packaging. Eighty seven percent say being able to buy only the amount of fruit and vegetables they need matters. The poll sits beside a practical household test from CHOICE.

CHOICE’s Erin Barton reported on 20 October that CHOICE tested 34 dishwasher detergents. Household expert Chris Barnes said Finish Powerball Ultimate 0% Tabs scored 77% at about $1.07 per wash, while Earth Choice All in 1 Dish Tablets scored 76% at about $0.42 per wash, making the Earth Choice tablets the clearer value pick among the top performers. Housebrite Brite Dishwasher Powder scored 40%. Barnes warned that products from the same brand do not always perform equally.

Today’s shopping note

For Halloween timing, check the stated dispatch time and delivery estimate for your postcode before you rely on an online order. A product being available to buy is not the same as a promise it will arrive before 31 October. Compare the landed price of the item you actually need, including delivery, rather than the largest percentage on the sale page. Read “up to” and “extra off sale” as range or conditional claims, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: ACCC media release, Perfection Fresh ALDI vegetable price fixing admission, 26 October 2026 (Luke Woodward quoted); ABC News, Justine Longmore, 26 October 2026; Food Standards Australia New Zealand, Farmdale Full Cream Long Life Milk 1L recall updated 26 October 2026, Arla Protein puddings recall 24 October 2026, Maruto Nagasaki Castella cake recall 26 October 2026; Nine.com.au, Jo Abi, Farmdale expansion reporting; SIX / Australian Marine Conservation Society / Future Super YouGov packaging poll media release, 27 October 2026; CHOICE, Erin Barton, dishwasher detergent test media release, 20 October 2026 (Chris Barnes quoted). Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero: original AI generated editorial illustration, not a photograph of a named retailer or product.

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest headline discounts we verified from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 153 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 70. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete dawn audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores whose advertised offer we could confirm from the retrieved page, with a concrete in stock or clearly ticketed example where possible. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Nine West’s top figure is an extra discount on sale styles, not a flat cut on every full price item. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountKick Push SkateSkateboardingSale includes 75% off selected skate hardware. Andale Allen Blue 7/8 inch skateboard hardware is $2 from $8 on the sale page, with the matching red pack also at $2 from $8.75%OFF2Surf StitchEyewearSale assortment includes deep eyewear markdowns. Hayward Shell Gold Anti Blue is $36.24 from $123.00 (about 71%) and listed available. Confirm lens type and stock before ordering.71%OFF3SportsgirlWomen’s WearOutlet sale advertised up to 70% off. The Bronte Lace Trim Midi Dress is $49.95 from $109.95. That example is about 55% off, not the maximum headline figure.70%OFF4BooktopiaBooksBargain books with ticketed percentage offs. Lovesick by Jean Flynn, paperback, is $5.95 from RRP $14.95 (60% off). Delivery is extra.60%OFF5Nine WestFootwearSale page promotes extra 50 to 60% off sale styles, plus 30% off full price styles. The top figure is conditional on sale merchandise, not a flat 60% off the whole site. Check the marked price for your size.60%OFF SALE

% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified headline percentage among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Typo: sale page promotes 50% off drink bottles as a featured deal alongside other markdowns. This is a category specific offer, not 50% off every Typo product. Confirm the drink bottle price and stock before ordering.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero image is an original AI generated editorial illustration.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

26 October 2026 · Issue 148

Monday Checks Before Halloween

Issue 148 · Monday 26 October 2026

The weekend is over and Halloween is five days away. Before the next basket fill, it helps to separate three different jobs: understanding how AI may change the price you see, checking whether an online marketplace listing has a real safety story behind it, and confirming that a kids product already at home is not on a fresh recall list.

Today’s brief keeps those checks practical. A chatbot is not a price guarantee, a marketplace badge is not a safety certificate, and a seasonal display is not a spending obligation. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection from a disclosed partial scan.

Ask how the price in front of you was set

On Friday, the Australian Associated Press reported that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission told a parliamentary AI inquiry that personalised pricing and shopping bots are on its radar. ACCC digital markets general manager David Abkiewicz said granular pricing can dig into a person’s willingness to pay, including signals that may point to vulnerable consumers. He also said giving different prices to different groups is not, by itself, against Australian consumer law today.

The same hearing flagged “agentic shopping”, where bots shop on a person’s behalf. Consumer protectors worry those agents may carry brand preferences or steer people away from the genuine best deal. Jayde Richmond, general manager of the ACCC’s National Anti Scam Centre, separately warned that AI is helping scammers operate at scale with voice clones, deepfake video and personalised scam contact.

That sits beside CHOICE’s AI Action Plan media release of 19 October, reported by Erin Barton, and the companion analysis by Andy Kollmorgen. CHOICE senior campaigns and policy advisor Jordan Cornelius said less than 1 in 10 Australians think AI is making products and services better quality, while about half say AI chatbots are making customer service much worse and about half say AI is making the scams they see much worse. CHOICE is calling for a ban on businesses using personal information to set individualised prices, stronger privacy coverage, scam framework coverage for AI chatbots and marketplaces, more ACCC resources, and clearer redress paths.

For shoppers, the practical move is simple. Compare the price you are shown with an anonymous or logged out check when you can, keep screenshots of advertised prices, and do not treat a shopping bot’s recommendation as proof you have found the lowest available offer.

Treat marketplace convenience as a safety check, not a shortcut

ABC News investigative reporter Amy Greenbank reported on 16 October that a ceiling light bought on Amazon Australia caught fire and melted during laboratory safety testing commissioned by Lighting Council Australia. LCA chief executive Malcolm Richards said further testing found accessible live wires inside the product. The listing for the $48 LED oyster ceiling light was removed after ABC questions, after Amazon had earlier been warned about dozens of lighting products.

The story underlines a point CHOICE and the ACCC have both been pressing: shoppers may assume the law already stops unsafe goods appearing on online marketplaces, when gaps remain. The ACCC’s 1 September response to CHOICE’s designated complaint said reforms are needed so online marketplaces face clearer mandatory obligations, while enforcement continues in the meantime.

This is not a claim that every Amazon listing is unsafe. It is a reason to prefer known suppliers for electrical goods, check for Australian safety marks where they apply, and walk away from a bargain if identification details or return paths are thin.

Two 23 October recalls are worth a cupboard check

Product Safety Australia published a recall on 23 October for the Playpals 3 in 1 baby walker supplied by Sun Yee International. The notice says the walker does not meet the mandatory standard, including performance requirements to prevent falling downstairs. It was sold nationally online from 4 July 2025 to 7 October 2026 through channels including eBay, Kogan Marketplace, Big W Marketplace, Kmart Marketplace, Lasoo and Harvey Norman Marketplace. Stop using it immediately, keep it away from children, and contact Sun Yee for a compliant replacement or a full refund.

A separate notice published the same day covers the Montessori UFO Pull & Pop toy from The Laughing Koala, model MT033516, brand Manmi Top. The silicone pull strings may be too long, and small parts may detach, creating a choking and asphyxiation risk for young children. The listed sale period is 8 November 2024 to 21 July 2026 via The Laughing Koala website. Stop using it, keep it away from children, cut the pull strings, photograph the toy, dispose of it in household waste, then email the photo and order details to thelaughingkoala@hotmail.com for a full refund.

Halloween week is a peak moment for novelty toys and last minute kids gifts. These notices are specific product recalls, not a warning against every toy purchase. Check the official notices for identification details before deciding whether something in your home is affected.

Today’s shopping note

For Halloween timing, check the stated dispatch time and delivery estimate for your postcode before you rely on an online order. A product being available to buy is not the same as a promise it will arrive before 31 October. Compare the price of the item you actually need, including delivery, rather than the largest percentage on the sale page. Read “up to” and “extra off sale” as range or conditional claims, and confirm size, stock and exclusions before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: Australian Associated Press, ACCC AI inquiry coverage published around 24 October 2026; CHOICE, AI Action Plan media release and analysis, 19 October 2026 (Erin Barton; Andy Kollmorgen; Jordan Cornelius quoted); ABC News, Amy Greenbank, 16 October 2026, Amazon Australia ceiling light safety testing; ACCC, online marketplace product safety response, 1 September 2026; Product Safety Australia, Playpals 3 in 1 baby walker and Montessori UFO Pull & Pop recalls, 23 October 2026. Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero: original AI generated editorial illustration, not a photograph of a named retailer or product.

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest headline discounts we verified from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 152 retailer sale URLs in today’s pool and retrieved usable sale content from 57. The remaining pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. This is a disclosed partial scan, not a complete dawn audit of every Australian retailer. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores whose advertised offer we could confirm from the retrieved page, with a concrete in stock or clearly ticketed example where possible. Generic sale descriptions, unresolved price evidence and same category duplicates are excluded. Nine West’s top figure is an extra discount on sale styles, not a flat cut on every full price item. Taking Shape’s clearance claim is “up to” with prices as marked. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountKick Push SkateSkateboardingSale includes 75% off selected skate hardware. Andale Allen Blue 7/8 inch skateboard hardware is $2 from $8 on the sale page, with the matching red pack also at $2 from $8.75%OFF2SportsgirlWomen’s WearOutlet sale advertised up to 70% off. The Bronte Lace Trim Midi Dress is $49.95 from $109.95 and listed available. That example is about 55% off, not the maximum headline figure.70%OFF3BooktopiaBooksBargain books with ticketed percentage offs. Lovesick by Jean Flynn, paperback, is $5.95 from RRP $14.95 (60% off), marked in stock and ships next day. Delivery is extra.60%OFF4Nine WestFootwearSale page promotes extra 50 to 60% off sale styles, plus 30% off full price styles. The top figure is conditional on sale merchandise, not a flat 60% off the whole site. Check the marked price for your size.60%OFF SALE5Taking ShapePlus SizeClearance styles advertised up to 60% off, prices as marked. Higher percentage filter chips appear on the sale page, but we are ranking the clearer clearance claim we could verify. Confirm ticketed and sale prices for your size before ordering.60%OFF

% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified headline percentage among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Typo: sale page promotes 50% off drink bottles as a featured deal alongside other markdowns. This is a category specific offer, not 50% off every Typo product. Confirm the drink bottle price and stock before ordering.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero image is an original AI generated editorial illustration.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

23 October 2026 · Issue 145

Before the Weekend Shop

Issue 145 · Friday 23 October 2026

A useful shopping list leaves room for a few checks as well as a few purchases. Before the weekend, look at what an environmental claim actually covers, decide what you need for Halloween and check whether a recent recall applies to something already at home.

Today’s brief is about making those checks practical. A reassuring phrase on a packet is not a substitute for evidence, a seasonal display is not a spending obligation, and a familiar product can still need a safety check. The retailer offers later in this issue are a separate, freshly verified selection.

Look beyond a green sounding promise

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission released guidance on 20 October for businesses making emissions claims to consumers. The regulator says phrases such as “carbon neutral” and “net zero” can be confusing, and it expects businesses to communicate clearly what those claims mean and how they are supported.

The guidance itself distinguishes emissions reductions from the use of offsets. The ACCC says buying offsets is not the same as reducing the emissions a business or product generates. It also advises businesses to avoid broad labels that could leave shoppers with a misleading impression of their environmental impact.

For shoppers, that suggests a useful set of questions. Does the claim apply to the product, its packaging, a delivery option or the whole company? Does it explain an actual reduction, or does it rely on offsets? Can you find the supporting information without guessing what a badge means?

This is not a claim that every environmental label is misleading, or that a particular store in today’s selection has broken the law. It is a reason to compare the scope and evidence behind competing claims rather than paying more for an unexplained phrase. If the details are missing, ask the business before making the claim part of your buying decision.

Make the Halloween list before browsing the displays

Roy Morgan’s update on 20 October, drawing on its Halloween research with the Australian Retailers Association, reported that 70% of people planning to celebrate intended to buy treats, 57% decorations and 34% costumes. Those categories can overlap. They are shopping intentions, not a tally of purchases already made.

Halloween falls on 31 October, but a themed display does not need to turn into a full trolley. Our practical suggestion is to check what is already in the cupboard, decide how many people you are buying for and put a limit on optional decorations before browsing. A lower total spend on a smaller list may suit you better than a large percentage off extras.

For online orders, check the stated dispatch time and delivery estimate for your postcode. A product being available to order does not, by itself, promise arrival before an event. If timing is essential, confirm it with the retailer rather than relying on a general shipping banner.

We are not using a survey forecast as proof that any particular product will sell out. Current stock and terms must still be checked for the item you choose, and the same discipline applies to the verified offers below.

Two recent recalls are worth checking at home

Product Safety Australia published a recall on 22 October for LED keys supplied with certain Giant Surelock bicycle locks. It covers specified Protector and Flex Key Coil models sold from 22 June 2022 to 14 July 2026. Owners should use the model and affected serial number information in the official notice rather than assuming every Giant lock is included.

The notice says the button battery is not secured and children could access it, and that warning information is missing. If your lock is affected, stop using the LED key immediately and keep it out of children’s reach. The recall explains that you can return the key to the original Giant dealer for a free water bottle cage or a partial refund, while continuing to use the lock with its supplied keys without LEDs. Alternatively, return the lock and all keys for a full refund. Contact Giant if you cannot return it or have passed it to someone else.

A separate notice published on 21 October covers the Out Of The Blue Sound Monster fidget toy supplied by Splosh Australia. Its barcode is 4029811485598, and the listed sale period is 17 September 2024 to 13 October 2026. The recall says the button battery product was not tested before sale and lacks required warning information. It directs consumers to stop using it immediately, keep it away from children and return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Both notices warn that swallowed or inserted button batteries can cause choking, severe internal burns or death. These are specific product recalls, not a warning against every product from either supplier. Check the official notices for identification details and the complete instructions before deciding whether something in your home is affected.

Today’s shopping note

Compare the price of the product you actually need, including delivery, rather than the largest number on the sale page. Read “up to” as a range claim, check conditions on multi item offers and confirm the available size or variant before paying.

Our scan records unsuccessful checks as well as successful ones. A retailer page being retrieved is not enough to establish that every offer, item or delivery condition has been verified.

Primary reporting sources: Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, emissions guidance released 20 October 2026; Roy Morgan, 20 October 2026 update and Australian Retailers Association Halloween research; Product Safety Australia, current recall notices. Shopper advice and synthesis by Neil Fairhead for It’s On Sale. Hero: original AI generated editorial illustration, not a photograph of a named retailer or product.

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest headline discounts we verified from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 116 retailer sale URLs in today's pool and retrieved usable sale content from 86. The remaining 30 pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores whose advertised offer, product availability and Australian delivery we could confirm. Generic sale descriptions, individual item markdowns and offers with unresolved price or eligibility evidence are excluded. Cotton On's offer applies only to the second qualifying graphic tee, not the whole basket. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountUGG ExpressUgg BootsSpring Sale up to 80% off selected styles. Nala slides are $45 from $55, with the Grey AU Ladies 5/6 variant available. Warehouse relocation may delay dispatch.80%OFF2Academy BrandMen's WearUp to 60% off selected sale styles. The Apache Check Overshirt in Peacoat Navy is $55 from $109.95 in AUD, with XS available in low stock. This item is not reduced by the maximum 60%.60%OFF3Elite SupplementsSupplementsElite Week up to 60% off selected products. Emrald Labs Electrolyte+, Unflavoured, 30 serves, is $19.95 from $49.90 and listed in stock. No health benefit is claimed here.60%OFF4Cotton OnWomen's WearBuy one qualifying graphic tee and get the second 50% off. This is not 50% off the basket. Check the qualifying range and available size before ordering.50%OFF 2ND5DuskHomewares50% off the Halloween range. Ghost Whispers Ceramic Candle 115g is $17.50 from $34.99 and available online. Rounded prices and stock can change.50%OFF

% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified headline percentage among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Grahams Jewellers: 50% off eligible gold under $3,000 and eligible silver, with exclusions. The Sterling Silver Golf Bangle is $429 against its $859 ticketed price and listed in stock.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero image is an original AI generated editorial illustration.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

20 October 2026 · Issue 142

A sale price is only part of the bill. Today we look at the cost of getting an order home, an unusually early Christmas parcel deadline, and two useful ways to prepare before the shopping rush.

Count the Delivery Charge Before You Chase the Discount

Reporting on Shippit’s shipping research on 19 October, Mara Sugue at IT Brief Australia puts the average standard delivery charge at $11.30, compared with $10.39 in 2025. The reported average express charge is $15.50, up from $14.69. These are research averages, not a promise about what an individual retailer will charge.

Shippit’s own 2026 State of Shipping Report puts the average free shipping threshold at $135, an increase of $12. That is a useful reminder to compare the delivered total rather than the product price alone. Adding something you do not need to avoid a smaller postage bill is not a saving.

Your next move: Enter your postcode before comparing two baskets. Check whether a bulky item attracts a separate charge and whether a free shipping threshold applies to the products you actually want.

For Some Christmas Parcels, the Deadline Is Today

If you are sending from Queensland to Christmas Island or the Cocos Islands by Parcel Post, Australia Post’s current Christmas table lists Tuesday 20 October 2026 as the posting deadline. Its corresponding Parcel Post dates for New South Wales and Victoria are Wednesday 21 October. These are specific island routes, not a deadline for all Christmas parcels within Australia.

Australia Post describes its dates as guidance for the best chance of arrival, rather than a guarantee, and advises customers to ask their local Post Office about location specific timing. Check the destination, service and lodgement arrangements before travelling to the counter. For those island routes, waiting until the main November sales could leave the economical postage option behind.

Write the Wishlist Before the Sale Writes It for You

In Retail World’s 15 October report, Hailey Settineri covers Shopify’s 2026 Holiday Retail Report, based on a survey of 2,000 Australian consumers and 500 Australian businesses. Consumers’ planned average Black Friday and Cyber Monday spend was $346, compared with $324 in the previous survey. Those are intentions, not completed purchases or a spending target for your household.

The same report says 85% would rather wait for the right product than choose the easiest option. Put that patience to work: write down the model, size or features you need, set a maximum delivered price, and record today’s normal price before the sale labels arrive. A discount on the wrong item is still the wrong purchase.

Tell the ACCC Where Your Mobile Service Falls Short

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission opened consultation on mobile coverage and services on 15 October. It is seeking consumer experiences of coverage, quality, choice and switching, with the consumer survey open until 10 December 2026. The separate discussion paper submission deadline is 26 November.

This is an inquiry, not an announcement that domestic roaming has been introduced or that coverage gaps have been fixed. If reception fails at home or along a regular journey, practical details about the location and service can make your feedback more useful. Before changing plans, check the coverage relevant to your own routine rather than relying only on a national coverage headline.

The shopper takeaway: Compare the full cost, confirm the delivery route and keep a clear list of what you need. The most useful saving is one that survives checkout and arrives in time.

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest headline discounts we verified from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 116 retailer sale URLs in today's pool and retrieved usable sale content from 82. The remaining 34 pages could not be verified after fallback checks and are excluded. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores whose advertised offer, product availability and Australian delivery we could confirm. Individual item markdowns, generic sale descriptions and other unverified offers are excluded. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountUGG ExpressFootwearUp to 80% off selected Spring Sale styles. Grey Nala slides are $45 from $55 with the checked size available. Australian shipping is free over $100; warehouse relocation may delay orders.80%OFF2SportsgirlFashionUp to 70% off selected sale styles. The Bronte Lace Trim Midi Dress is $49.95 from $109.95, with availability varying by size. Australian shipping is free over $100.70%OFF3MyerDepartment store60% off selected KitchenAid cookware today. A Pistacho frypan pair is $79.98 from $199.95 and in stock. Standard Australian delivery is free over $99, excluding bulky items.60%OFF4GrahamsJewellery50% off eligible gold under $3000 and silver through 25 October. A stocked silver bangle is $429 against a $859 ticketed price. Exclusions apply; Australian delivery is free over $69.50%OFF5Scooter HutScootersUp to 50% off selected scooters and accessories while stocks last. The stocked Kaabo Mantis Urban is $999 from $1699. Delivery is within Australia; check your postcode and local riding rules.50%OFF

% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified headline percentage among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Healthylife: Up to 40% off RRP on selected fitness products. PranaOn French Vanilla protein 500g is in stock at $35.96 against RRP $44.95. Australian delivery fees and regional surcharges apply.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero image is an original AI generated editorial illustration.

Neil Fairhead

CEO, It’s On Sale

inConnect

19 October 2026 · Issue 141

A cheap basket is only part of a good shopping experience. You also need stock that is actually available, clear safety information and someone who can help when an order goes wrong. This Monday, we look at new doubts about automated customer service, the continuing banana supply squeeze and a small checkout charge worth avoiding. We also revisit the consumer watchdog’s Kmart case. The aim is simple: fewer surprises before you pay, and a clearer path if something needs fixing.

When a Chatbot Cannot Help

A CHOICE survey of more than 1,000 people found just over half believed increasing use of artificial intelligence had made customer service worse, reports Andrew Brown of AAP, published by PerthNow today. Fewer than one in ten respondents thought AI made products and services better; these are consumers’ assessments, rather than a technical test of individual services.

CHOICE is calling for stronger safeguards, including restrictions on using personal information to set individual prices and better protections against scams. Those are proposals, not new rules already in force, in Brown’s AAP report.

If a support chat keeps circling the same answer, keep a copy of the conversation and ask for a person to review the issue. Put your order number, what went wrong and the outcome you want into one short message. Treat an automated answer as a starting point, not a reason to abandon an unresolved complaint.

Keep a Backup for the Banana Bowl

Banana availability remains a store by store question rather than a reason to assume every shelf is empty. Reporting last week, Demi Huang of 7NEWS described Woolworths notices linking limited Cavendish supplies to cooler weather in Far North Queensland, with the retailer expecting supply to return to normal by November.

Huang also reported shoppers encountering gaps at Coles and ALDI, while some available fruit was unusually green. Availability was fluctuating across locations and days, so those reports do not establish that your local store is out of stock (Demi Huang, 7NEWS).

For an online grocery order, review your substitution preference before checkout. If bananas are essential for the next day’s lunchboxes, choose a backup fruit rather than relying on a supply forecast. Compare the price per kilogram and buy only what you can use.

The Bag Charge You Can Leave Behind

Coles has raised its paper bag price from 25c to 30c and the price of larger reusable bags from $4 to $4.20, according to Ella George of The Nightly, published by the Kalgoorlie Miner on 14 October. The report says the online click and collect bag fee remains $2 per order.

Coles attributed the changes to higher costs, including materials and transport, in its response to George’s report. At the reported new paper bag price, four bags add $1.20 to a shop; that arithmetic is a small reason to keep a reusable set where you will remember it.

Put bags beside your keys or inside the bag you take shopping. For a collection order, check the bagging choices and fees shown for that service instead of assuming the checkout charge and collection charge work the same way.

Check the Safety Information, Not Just the Price

The ACCC began Federal Court proceedings against Kmart on 15 October, alleging inadequate warnings on cosmetic nail glue and failures to comply with button battery standards. These are allegations in proceedings, not a court finding of liability (ACCC’s case announcement).

The regulator says cosmetic nail glue can cause burns when it contacts fabric, and says Kmart added a fabric burn warning in December 2024. Kmart says the matters are historical and have been addressed, disputes the criticism of its warnings, and has apologised to people affected by nail glue injuries, reports Joseph Sahyoun of Nine.

Read the instructions on products already at home as well as on new purchases. The proceedings are not a new blanket recall: the ACCC’s announcement identifies a Smart Tag recall from 2024 and advises immediate medical attention if a button battery may have been swallowed or inserted (ACCC’s product history and safety advice).

Top 5 Deals of the Day

Five stores. Five categories. The strongest headline discounts we verified from today’s retailer scan.

We attempted all 116 retailer sale URLs in today's pool and retrieved usable content from 106. Ten pages remained unavailable after fallback checks, so those retailers are excluded. Retrieval does not mean an offer was fully verified: this ranking includes only eligible stores whose headline offer, product availability and Australian delivery we could confirm. Individual item markdowns, unsupported sale claims and other unverified offers are excluded. Offers and stock can change.

1Today’s Top
DiscountUGG ExpressFootwearUp to 80% off selected Spring Sale styles. Nala slides are $45 from $55, with the checked grey size available. Australian shipping is free over $100.80%OFF2SportsgirlFashionUp to 70% off sale clothing. The Bronte Lace Trim Midi Dress is $49.95 from $109.95, with availability varying by size. Australian orders are dispatched from Melbourne.70%OFF3GrahamsJewellery50% off eligible gold under $3000 and silver through 25 October. A silver bangle is $429 from $859. Exclusions apply; Australian delivery is free over $69.50%OFF4MyerDepartment store50% off selected bedding and other home ranges. A Vue pastel pink double sheet set is $64.97 from $129.95. Standard delivery is free on eligible orders of $99 or more.50%OFF5Scooter HutScootersUp to 50% off selected scooters and accessories while stocks last. The black Kaabo Mantis Urban is $999 from $1699. Delivery is within Australia; confirm your postcode at checkout.50%OFF

% discounts shown are indicative across each store’s sale range. Individual product savings vary.

Ranked by verified headline percentage among eligible retailers checked today, with one store per category. Browse today’s retailer sale pages.

One More Category Worth a Look

Typo: 25% off selected Christmas gifts and decorations. A South Park ornament is $7.49 from $9.99. Exclusions apply; standard Australian delivery is free on $75 or more.

It’s On Sale Australia’s home for genuine retail deals. Offers and availability can change. Hero image is an original AI generated editorial illustration.