A Coles shopper in Perth, Western Australia, attracted attention in April 2023 after purchasing two lobsters, gourmet cheese and discounted prawn products for approximately $30 instead of their usual combined price of $126. The lobsters, normally priced at $22 each, had been marked down to just $6 apiece. The shopper shared the bargain on Facebook's Markdown Addicts Australia group, revealing how carefully timed supermarket clearance discounts made an expensive seafood meal significantly more affordable. Although the purchase was widely discussed, the discounts were specific to that shopping trip and are not current Coles prices.
How a Coles Shopper Saved $96 on Groceries
The bargain was reported by 7NEWS on April 5, 2023, just before the Easter long weekend.
The Perth customer discovered a selection of heavily discounted groceries while visiting a local Coles supermarket.
Her purchases included two lobsters, gourmet cheese and prawn products that had received substantial clearance reductions.
The two lobsters were reduced from $22 to $6 each, representing a saving of approximately 73% on those items alone.
Some of the other groceries were marked down to as little as $1.60.
The shopper reported paying approximately $30 for groceries that would ordinarily have cost $126, a total saving of $96, or about 76%.
What Did the $30 Coles Grocery Haul Include?
The original 7NEWS report confirmed that the discounted purchase included two lobsters, gourmet cheeses and prawn products.
The shopper also shared photographs of the purchases and their reduced-price labels in the Facebook group.
Some versions of the story describe cheese, garlic prawn skewers and salad among the bargains. However, the available primary reporting does not provide a complete itemized receipt confirming the exact price and quantity of every product.
The most clearly documented individual deal was the lobster markdown:
| Item | Original Price | Sale Price |
|---|---|---|
| First lobster | $22 | $6 |
| Second lobster | $22 | $6 |
| Other discounted groceries | Not individually confirmed | Not individually confirmed |
| Total grocery haul | $126 | Approximately $30 |
The unusually low prices resulted from individual store clearance reductions rather than a nationwide seafood promotion.
Why Were the Lobsters So Cheap?
The shopping trip occurred immediately before Easter, a period when supermarkets may reduce selected perishable products to manage stock ahead of changes in trading hours.
Many Australian supermarkets close on Good Friday, although trading rules and exceptions vary by state and location.
Products with limited remaining shelf life may receive further reductions when stores need to clear stock before closing.
In this case, the shopper spotted employees applying additional markdown stickers to grocery items.
Several customers were reportedly watching the clearance activity and waiting to see which products would receive discounts.
Unlike advertised weekly specials, clearance prices depend on a particular store's inventory, product condition and remaining shelf life.
The Shopper Shared Her Bargain on Facebook
The shopper posted her purchases in Markdown Addicts Australia, a Facebook community where members share supermarket discounts and clearance finds.
She explained that several customers had gathered near the employee responsible for reducing prices and that there were enough discounted products available for multiple shoppers.
Other members responded enthusiastically to the seafood and cheese haul.
The post attracted interest because lobster is usually considered a relatively expensive seafood product, making a $6 purchase particularly unusual.
The shopper's experience highlighted how substantial reductions can occasionally make premium groceries available at a fraction of their standard retail prices.
Does Coles Still Sell Discounted Lobster in 2026?
Coles continues to sell seafood products and advertise weekly promotions in Australia. However, the specific $6 lobster clearance reported in April 2023 cannot be treated as an ongoing offer.
Recent supermarket catalogue tracking from October 2026 listed selected thawed raw lobster tails at promotional prices of approximately $10 each.
Those products differ from the lobsters described in the original shopping story and should not be considered directly comparable in size, weight or specification.
Coles' published seafood offerings also include prawns, salmon, mussels and other products that may be discounted during particular catalogue periods.
Prices and availability depend on store location, promotional dates and stock levels. A clearance offer found in one supermarket may not be available at another.
How to Find Coles Clearance Bargains
Shoppers hoping to find similar reductions can use several practical strategies.
Check Marked-Down Sections
Look for clearly labeled clearance products in refrigerated cabinets, deli areas and designated markdown sections.
Stores may reduce selected groceries when their remaining shelf life is short or when excess stock needs to be cleared.
Look Before Public Holidays
Public holidays can change supermarket opening hours and stock management requirements.
Fresh seafood, meat and dairy products may occasionally receive additional reductions before store closures, although discounts are not guaranteed.
Compare Prices Per Unit
A large percentage discount does not always make a product the cheapest option.
Comparing prices per kilogram, per 100 grams or per item helps shoppers judge whether a clearance offer represents good value.
Check the Use-By Date
Reduced seafood and dairy products should be checked carefully for use-by dates and storage instructions.
Fresh seafood is highly perishable, and discounted products still need to be handled safely.
Food should not be eaten after its use-by date, even if it looks or smells normal.
Check Weekly Specials Separately
Coles publishes regular catalogue promotions, while individual stores may also apply local clearance reductions.
Weekly specials and clearance labels represent different types of discounts, so shoppers should check the actual shelf price and any applicable conditions before purchasing.
Why Supermarket Markdown Prices Can Vary
Clearance pricing is influenced by several factors, including stock levels, remaining shelf life, demand and individual store decisions.
A product approaching its use-by date may be reduced because the retailer wants to sell it before it becomes unsuitable for sale.
Stores may also discount seasonal products after periods of increased demand.
Consequently, shoppers cannot reliably expect the same markdown percentage at every Coles location.
The Perth lobster deal was an unusually successful example of local clearance shopping, not evidence that Coles normally sells lobster at $6 each.
Is Buying Discounted Seafood Worth It?
Discounted seafood can offer substantial savings when products have been stored correctly and can be consumed within the recommended timeframe.
Before purchasing, shoppers should check packaging integrity, refrigeration conditions, storage instructions and use-by information.
For frozen products, the package should be intact, and shoppers should follow the manufacturer's instructions about thawing and refreezing.
Buying only what can be safely stored or consumed helps ensure that a discount results in genuine savings rather than unnecessary food waste.
Conclusion
The Perth Coles shopper's April 2023 bargain demonstrated how supermarket clearance reductions can make normally expensive seafood and gourmet groceries considerably more affordable.
By purchasing two lobsters for $6 each alongside discounted cheese and prawn products, the customer reduced a grocery haul worth approximately $126 to just $30.
Although the original prices are no longer current, the story remains a useful example of how shoppers can benefit from carefully checking clearance labels, comparing prices and planning purchases around supermarket trading schedules.
Similar discounts may occasionally appear in Australian supermarkets, but availability varies by store and should never be assumed from an older viral shopping story.