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Biscuit war: Coles refuses Tim Tams price hikes

Australia’s favourite biscuit is now locked in a not-so-sweet war over price hikes with Australian supermarket giant Coles.

Arnott’s - the makers of Tim Tams - have reportedly refused to supply the retail giant with six varieties of the biscuit after the supermarket chain refused to accept an ‘unjustified’ 10 per cent price increase.

The humble Tim Tam has become a beloved Australian treat. Source: Supplied.
The humble Tim Tam has become a beloved Australian treat. Source: Supplied.
Arnott's has refused to supply Coles with several varieties of Tim Tams after the supermarket giant knocked back unexplained price increases on the popular treat.  Source: Supplied.
Arnott's has refused to supply Coles with several varieties of Tim Tams after the supermarket giant knocked back unexplained price increases on the popular treat. Source: Supplied.

Coles will no longer be stocking the Tim Tam multi-packs as well as the coconut cream, choc-raspberry and salted caramel varieties.

In October the dispute began when Arnott’s demanded price rises of up to 10 per cent.

Some of the items initially included in the price hikes were Scotch Finger, Teddy Bear, Monte Carlo and TeeVee Snacks.


Social media has since gone into overdrive with fans of the sweet snack speaking out.

John Durkan, the Coles managing director, told The Australian that the chain would reject the price increase for Tim Tams as Arnott's 'refused' to give them the detail.

'When we refused the cost increase, Arnott's refused to supply us,' he said.

Crown Princess Mary shares a sweet moment with husband Frederik. Source: Supplied.
Crown Princess Mary shares a sweet moment with husband Frederik. Source: Supplied.
Tim Tam's have become a household must-have. Source: Supplied.
Tim Tam's have become a household must-have. Source: Supplied.

A statement has been released by Coles: “When a major international manufacturer decides they will unilaterally force through a price hike without justification, we will resist that.”

“Our average family shopper spends around $150 per week on food and groceries, and they don’t have the spare cash laying around to give to Campbell’s-Arnotts every time they decide to put their prices up.”



Arnott's and Campbell's products no longer stocked at Coles:


  • Tim Tam Zumbo Coconut Cream 165 gram

  • Tim Tam Zumbo Choc Raspberry 165 gram

  • Tim Tam Zumbo Salted Caramel 171 gram

  • Chocolicious Tim Tam Multipack: Caramel 191 gram

  • Chocolicious Tim Tam Multipack: Dark 187 gram

  • Chocolicious Tim Tam Multipack: Original 187 gram

  • Twisted Faves Monte Carlo: Salted Caramel 250 gram

  • Twisted Faves Shortbread: Strawberry Cream 250 gram

  • Arnott's Chocolate Biscuits: Royal Dark 200 gram

  • Arnott's Cheeseboard

  • Campbell's Real Stock: Beef 500ml

  • Campbell's Real Stock: Chicken 500ml

  • Campbell's Real Stock: Vegetable 500ml

  • Campbell's Real Stock: Chicken (salt reduced) 500ml

Yahoo7 has reached out to Arnott’s for comment.

NEWS BREAK DECEMBER 1