British fashion designer Anya Hindmarch has rolled out The Universal Bag across all Coles stores in Australia this week for a limited time only.
This follows years of phasing out plastic bags across Australia, with New South Wales and the ACT being the last jurisdictions to ban them.
The Universal Bag is designed to push sustainable shopping habits. It is currently being sold at Coles for $20, which is well below the value of an average Anya Hindmarch bag. The price of a shoulder bag by the British label can cost as high as £1,695 pounds, or around $3400 Australian.
The Coles Universal Bag is the 26th edition and adds to a growing global line up of retailers, following Asda, Co-op, Morrisons, Sainsburys, Selfridges Food Hall, Waitrose and Whole Foods in the United Kingdom, City’SUPER and Taste in Hong Kong, National Azabu, Seijo Ishi and Meidi-Ya in Japan and Little Farms and FairPrice in Singapore.
Woolworths launched its own exclusive designs with Hindmarch earlier this year.
Each edition is customised in line with the retail partner’s brand identity, and is designed to be durable and reusable. The Coles bag’s outer fabric is made from 100 per cent recycled plastic, with each step and material used in making the bag being certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS).
The Coles Universal Bag is produced by Solent Group, a UK-based FMCG manufacturer.
“We’re all about helping to make sustainable choices more accessible for our customers,” a Coles spokesperson said. “By collaborating with Anya on the Coles Universal Bag we’re bringing together fashion and function to help inspire more conscious choices every day.”
Hindmarch’s efforts to reduce single-use plastic started fourteen years ago, with her ‘I Am Not A Plastic Bag’ campaign. Since launching The Universal Bag in 2021, the project has reportedly saved over 336 tonnes of virgin plastic from landfill, the equivalent weight of over 27 London double decker buses.
“I am delighted to be working with Coles as the latest partner in the global rollout of the Universal Bag project,” Hindmarch said. “Their scale, reach and commitment to reducing plastic waste makes Coles a strong partner to continue to support the project in Australia.
“Together I hope we can encourage many more customers to choose a bag that is practical, durable and one that they will enjoy reusing for many years ahead.”
Solent Group CEO Tracey Dobkins added that sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.
“This collaboration isn’t just about a product; it’s about reshaping behaviours and encouraging better choices,” she said. “Having worked with some fantastic global grocers on this project so far, we’re delighted to lead in design innovation and look forward to seeing the Universal Bag make a lasting impact.”