Coles`s second-generation mini-store campaign has once again set off a collection boom in Australia, but has also come under fire for environmental issues.
On Wednesday, Coles and Woolworths, Australia`s two major supermarket chains, launched a high-profile collection of mini-collections on the same day, immediately causing a strong response in society.
Coles`s campaign is called the second generation "mini store" (Little Shop 2), with a total of 30 commodity micromodels mini. These collections include mini models of Arnotts crackers, Coles`s own brand Chocolate Cookies, Kleenex toilet paper and Eclipse mint gum.
Like Coles`s previous mini-collection, the launch is a small model that reduces real goods in proportion and looks lifelike.
A brilliant promotion?
Coles launched its first mini-store campaign last year, which is popular. The "mini-store" promotion is reported to have helped boost Coles`s sales by 5.8 percent in that fiscal quarter, while some brands in the "mini-store" collection model grew by 50 percent.
The promotion was so popular that Coles organized the community to exchange collection models with each other. After the event, many people still sell or exchange their mini-collection models on trading platforms such as social media and eBay,Gumtree.
ABC Chinese found on eBay`s Australian website that some have even packaged and sold a collection of 30 "mini-stores" previously launched by Coles for A $345.
This week Coles launched the mini-store collection again, as if it had tasted the sweetness.
Coles`s old rival Woolworths supermarket chain is also reluctant to lag behind, with Disney launching a collection of 24 toys on the theme of the Lion King.
For enthusiasts who like to save all kinds of collectibles, the competition between the two supermarket chains undoubtedly brings double benefits.
"collecting mini is my own interest. I took part in three Coles events, including Christmas. I also took part in Woolworths`s Lion King collection because of the reward scheme, the collection speed is faster, and the collection is pretty," Ms. Josie Zhao (Josie Zhao, of Sydney told ABC Chinese.
Mr. Frank Hu, who also lives in Sydney, said he was also preparing to attend Coles`s "mini-store" collection, not for his own liking, but for his daughter.
Another Chinese consumer who likes to collect small collections, Dana Ma (Danna Ma, of Western Australia, thinks Woolworths is much "kinder" than Coles because it can quickly save up a set by buying special goods. Coles`s rule is that shopping must be at least A $30 to get a mini collection.
Another consumer, Ms. Hua, who spent a lot of money on eBay to buy a full collection of Coles "mini-stores", told ABC Chinese that she would not take part in the collection.
"I reflected [after eBay paid for the whole `mini store` collection] and felt bound by material desire. So, later, I just enjoyed the collection process. Then, when the child grew up, I didn`t need the mini collection," she said.
Environmental nightmares?
The collection storm set off again by the two supermarket giants has aroused strong opposition from environmentalists.
The launch of the "mini-store" campaign in Coles coincides with a "plastic-free July" (Plastic Free July) environmental campaign around the world, ABC Triple J Radio Hack program reported. However, the company`s mini-collection contains non-recyclable plastics.
ironically, last month, Coles claimed that 1.7 billion disposable plastic bags had been buried in landfills since a year ago that it was stopped using disposable plastic bags. Coles also said it would strive to become the"mostsustainable supermarket in Australia."
On change.org, a petition website, nearly 58000 people have signed petition books calling on consumers to "distribute plastic waste".
Unlike conservationists who lashed out at Coles`s "mini-store" campaign, several consumers interviewed by ABC in Chinese who planned to collect mini-collections said they did not cause environmental problems.
Josie said she still has her original collection and will keep it this time.
Mr. Hu also said his family would keep the mini collection for the time being.
Coles declined to say how many models of goods were sent during last year`s "mini-store" promotion, but one speaker told Hack, that 94 percent of consumers who collected "mini-stores" retained or gave away collection models, and the speaker stressed in particular that the outer packaging of the models was recyclable plastic.
Woolworths said its film theme collection could be recycled in stores and eventually used to make outdoor products, such as fences.
