HORSHAM residents who rely Coles Supermarket’s home deliveries were shocked to discover on Monday that the service was no longer available.
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Coles had provided its customers with home delivery for more than 60 years.
Horsham resident Caz Chapman has used the service for 20 years and said losing it would greatly affect her way of life.
“I don’t have a driver's licence due to a medical issue; it’s been a much relied on service for many of us,” she said.
“Coles ceased the service with no replacement, no warning and no consideration for the less fortunate who rely and depend on the home delivery service to get their shopping home.”
She said customers were informed of the change when they reached the checkout with their shopping and requested home delivery.
“I reached out to Coles through their website and they have been very cold and ignorant in their responses,” she said.
“The reason that Coles gave us for stopping home deliveries was that the vans their contractors use for delivering were not refrigerated.
“Mind you, for over 20 years Coles have delivered our groceries in vans that weren't refrigerated.”
Although she only lives a short distance from the store, Ms Chapman said a taxi home from the supermarket cost her more than $10, compared to the $7 fee Coles charged her for home delivery.
“The extra cost for a taxi to get our groceries home is an added expense that some just can't afford,” she said.
“Not everyone has a car and not everyone has someone to take them shopping.”
Horsham Home Deliveries owner Max Shilcock was a contractor for Coles for 20 years, until he received the bad news on Monday.
“I was called into the office and told that the service would cease the next day,” he said.
“I really feel sorry for those people who rely on getting their groceries home delivered.
“There have been people calling me up very upset, not knowing what they’re going to do.”
Mr Shilcock said he used to also be contracted to deliver groceries for Horsham Woolworths, until the supermarket stopped its home deliveries.
“It’s all about the click and collect now, but some people don’t have the ability to drive and collect their groceries,” he said.
A Coles spokesperson said Coles Horsham ceased its home delivery service from July 13.
“To help provide accessibility support to customers, Coles Horsham transitioned its store-based home delivery service to our comprehensive Coles Click&Collect concierge service," the spokesperson said.
“Click&Collect allows our customers to order groceries conveniently online and collect them in-store between 6am–8am and 6pm-8pm daily. We believe this service is well-placed to support our customers who might find it difficult to shop at our stores.
“For customers who require further assistance with activities like food shopping, the federal government offers a service called My Aged Care, which can be accessed via www.myagedcare.gov.au.
“The Centre for Participation is another service provider which can assist Horsham residents with volunteer mobility support.”