1. The 2026 Markdown Showdown
In 2026, both retailers have moved away from “random” stickering to AI-driven demand forecasting, but their human-led final clearances still follow these windows:
| Category | Coles (The “Late Night” Specialist) | Woolworths (The “Afternoon” King) |
| Fresh Produce | Starts at 2:00 PM; deepest cuts after 7:00 PM. | 1st round at 10:00 AM; 2nd round at 3:00 PM. |
| Meat & Deli | Final markdowns (up to 90%) at 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM. | Heavy reductions (up to 80%) start at 4:00 PM. |
| Bakery | 50% off by lunch; “Everything must go” at 6:00 PM. | Progressive drops starting from 12:00 PM. |
| Chilled Meals | Best value found 1 hour before closing. | Consistent 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM window. |
2. Coles: The “Simplify and Save” Strategy
Coles’ 2026 strategy relies heavily on their “Simplify and Save to Invest” program.
- The 8:00 PM Gold Mine: Because Coles is focused on aggressive margin management, their final markdowns are often deeper than Woolies’—but they happen much later. If you can wait until 30 minutes before the store closes, you’ll find the 90% off stickers on high-value proteins like lamb and salmon.
- The “Front-of-Store” Clearance: Many Coles stores have centralized their markdowns into a single “Quick Sale” fridge near the front or the meat section to speed up the AI-monitored “Perfect Order” rate.
3. Woolworths: The “Customer Trust” Pivot
Woolworths is currently fighting to win back shoppers in 2026 by being more “generous” with early-day discounts.
- The 4:00 PM Rush: Woolworths tends to clear stock earlier in the day to ensure shelves look “fresh” for the evening rush. This makes them the better choice for parents or office workers who can’t shop at 9:00 PM.
- Online-Only Markdowns: A 2026 game-changer—Woolworths has integrated “Personalized Clearance” into their app. If you have an item in your “List” that is nearing its expiry in-store, you may receive a Direct-to-App offer to buy it at a discount via Click & Collect.
4. 2026 Pro-Tips for “Sticker Hunters”
- The “Cooked Chicken” Clock: In 2026, health regulations are stricter. Roast chickens at both stores must be cleared 3.5 hours after cooking. Look for stickers between 3:00 PM and 4:30 PM for the lunchtime batch.
- The “Yellow Sticker” Map: Don’t just look for stickers. Look for the AI Handheld Terminals being used by staff. If you see an employee with a “Zebra” printer in the meat aisle at 4:00 PM, stay close (but respectful).
- The Tuesday/Wednesday Advantage: Monday and Tuesday nights are statistically the best for markdowns. In 2026, weekend stock-outs are common, meaning the largest volume of “Use-By” surplus hits the shelves early in the week.
