In a recent federal court case, a Coles manager was scrutinized over the supermarket's promotional pricing strategy relating to its pet food range, particularly concerning the 'Down Down' pricing campaign. This inquiry comes on the heels of earlier revelations by a former manager citing 'human error' for accelerated promotional timing that was deemed contrary to internal guidelines.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has initiated legal action against Coles, claiming that the retailer engaged in a deceptive strategy aimed at misleading consumers with false discounts. The ACCC's allegations rest on claims that Coles raised the prices of several popular items before temporarily lowering them to attract customers with phony marketing campaigns, including their notable 'Down Down' promotions that highlight supposed discounts.

During the court session, ACCC's lawyer Garry Rich extensively questioned Paul Carroll, who previously managed the pet food segment, about the decisions surrounding the pricing of a specific dog food product, Nature's Gift. The implications of this case could be significant, as it not only raises questions about Coles’ compliance with pricing regulations but also highlights the larger issue of consumer trust in supermarket pricing policies.