Aldi is joining fellow supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles in selling hot cross buns early – but they will be giving their competition a big head start.
The German chain will offer the Australian favourites from Monday January 29, nearly four weeks after their rivals.
‘We recognise that customers like to purchase these popular seasonal treats ahead of the Easter period and we’re excited to offer our Australian made range of Hot Cross Buns from this date,’ Aldi said in a statement.
Aldi is joining fellow supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles in selling hot cross buns early – but will be giving their competition a big head start
The German chain will offer the Australian favourites from Monday January 29, nearly four weeks after their rivals
Woolworths, who were spotted selling the fruity Easter treats at stores across Australia just one day after Christmas, will offer the buns from January 2, while Coles join the party the following day.
Furious customers were particularly incensed by Woolworths’ decision to sell the buns monthers before Easter, but fresh food chain defended the controversial move.
‘Ten million hot cross buns were sold just in January last year,’ a Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘We know many of our customers love getting delicious hot cross buns as soon as they can and we see high demand immediately when they hit our shelves.
‘With Easter earlier this year, we know many of our bakers have been hopping to meet their customers requests to get their favourite hot cross buns back on the shelves.’
Hitting the shelves of some stores across Australia, Woolworths has defended the controversial move many people are slamming online (pictured)
‘Ten million hot cross buns (pictured) were sold just in January last year,’ a Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia
‘F***ing hot cross buns next to the 75 per cent off mince pies,’ one person wrote (pictured)
Other shoppers don’t want the fruity Easter buns to run out – 95 days before the day (pictured)
However many people have hit back at the move, which comes more than 90 days before Easter, with some saying they better stock up ‘before they run out’.
‘F***ing hot cross buns next to the 75 per cent off mince pies,’ one person wrote.
‘Why is everyone still talking about Christmas? It’s all about Easter now,’ another shared.
‘In the city, they’re taking down the Christmas light and hanging hot cross buns in their place,’ someone else posted.
One person pointed out there is still New Year’s Eve and Australia Day to get through (pictured)
‘Now I know why supermarkets have Christmas sales … to make room for hot cross buns,’ one person wrote online (pictured)
Woolworths responded to the posts, saying there is a ‘high demand … as soon as the new year starts’
‘Are you really already selling hot cross buns? Why? 24 hours after Christmas….,’ one person wrote.
One woman spotted the hot cross buns sitting right above a bunch of festive Pavlovas in a Woolworths store in Wonthaggi, Victoria.
‘Seriously!! Boxing Day! You should be ashamed,’ she shared to Facebook.
Woolworths responded to the post, saying there is a ‘high demand … as soon as the new year starts’.
Dozens of people took to social media to share their disgust at the supermarket giant stocking the Easter treat while there is still Christmas pudding in the fridge.
‘Since when does Easter start on Boxing Day,’ one person wrote.
While the fridge may still be full of Christmas leftovers, there are the odd number of people who are all in favour of the premature Easter treat (pictured)
Woolworths are stocking the buns, leaving a trail of divided opinions towards the spiced bun
‘I will celebrate Christmas being over with toasted hot cross buns tomorrow,’ another wrote.
‘It’s Boxing Day! I just know when I go to the shop to get milk I’m going to see Easter hot cross buns,’ someone shared online.
While the fridge may still be full of Christmas leftovers, there are the odd number of people who are all in favour of the premature Easter treat.
‘Mmm love hot cross buns, would buy them all year round,’ one person wrote.
‘Christmas is over … my nightmare of hot cross buns is almost upon us again,’ one wrote
‘Seriously!! Boxing Day! You should be ashamed,’ one woman shared to Facebook
The hot cross bun influx divided opinions across the internet, some loving and others hating it
Woolworths responded saying there is a ‘high demand … as soon as the new year starts’
Not supermarkets are stocking the bun with Coles saying hot cross buns aren’t in store yet
‘The best part about Christmas being over is that hot cross buns will start coming into shops soon,’ one person posted online.
A Woolworths spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia while the buns are being stocked at some stores, the official date for the sweet treat to hit the shelves is January 2.
But not all supermarkets are stocking the bun, with Coles posting to Twitter saying hot cross buns aren’t in store yet.
‘We’re sorry to say that you’ll have to wait a little while longer for them,’ they wrote.