Hot Cross Buns on sale

Old and Grey · Senior Member

Hot Cross Buns on sale

Whenarewethere · Guru

Recent thread:

https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t67251067/how-many-days-to-easter/

yobarr · Guru

Old and Grey wrote:
Yep, Your favourite Hot Cross Buns back on sale Today at Coles Supermarkets. Go Figure.$$$
Old

Typical of the "we want it NOW" generation,unfortunately.Cheers

KJB · Guru

Why the rush....normal "fruit buns" are generally on sale all year round.........taste the same too....

Izabarack · Guru

KJB wrote:
Why the rush....normal "fruit buns" are generally on sale all year round.........taste the same too....

Friend who works there, says there are constant requests for Hot Cross buns. No requests for fruit buns. Coles and Woolies are sometimes baking batches a couple of times a day. They are flying off the shelves. More popular than toilet paper in a lockdown. Woolies expect to sell 77 million Hot Cross buns by Easter. Friend brought me a six pack of the apple and cinnamon ones yesterday - yummy.

Iza

Possum3 · Guru

KJB wrote:
Why the rush....normal "fruit buns" are generally on sale all year round.........taste the same too....

The bun marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial. They are now available all year round in some places.

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Gee, I must walk around with my eyes shut or need to got to Specsavers as I don't see fruit buns any time apart from now until about a week after Easter.

I love 'em and try to resist buying the Hot X Bun until beginning April. That said, I have been known to cheat. Just once though :) Never during January though, way too early for a Easter treat.

Keep safe on the roads and out there.

2trout · Senior Member

I don't understand the constant criticism of the sale of hot cross buns. They are only available due to the demand for them. The supermarkets do not out products if people do not buy them. And, is there anything wrong with buying and eating a hot cross bum in months other than March and April? Obviously, the majority of consumers think that it is OK or otherwise they would not get sold.

KJB · Guru

Possum3 wrote:
KJB wrote:
Why the rush....normal "fruit buns" are generally on sale all year round.........taste the same too....

The bun marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial. They are now available all year round in some places.

Yes, I am aware of the significance but I would doubt that most of the "buyers.." would ........ I am always amazed at the market for "hot cross " buns when identical buns (less the cross) are normally available at bakeries etc. all year round - been buying and eating them at smoko and lunch for years (they are nice...) Maybe buns are only a Victorian "thing".....

TheHeaths · Guru

2trout wrote:
I don't understand the constant criticism of the sale of hot cross buns. They are only available due to the demand for them. The supermarkets do not out products if people do not buy them. And, is there anything wrong with buying and eating a hot cross bum in months other than March and April? Obviously, the majority of consumers think that it is OK or otherwise they would not get sold.

Trevor,

a lot of the criticism is generated due to the religious significance Possum mentions. Bear in mind this has only been a relatively new customer demand that has been considered necessary to fill in the last 5 or 10 years. Prior to that, they could wait until Easter! I think this year is a new low anyway, not even waiting for the Christmas break to finish before putting them out on Boxing Day. Talk about mixing up the Christian celebrations!

It is sad to me that companies are willing to ignore the religious beliefs of a large group of our society in the name of customer demand, read profit. I would doubt something of significance to other religions would be treated the same due to immediate outcry over insensitivity.

I am not religious, but the beliefs of those who are deserve something better than customer demand, profit and bad luck mate! Surely somethings can be kept a bit special.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 30th of December 2020 04:33:25 PM

KJB · Guru

I am not querying the producers/sellers - good luck to them ( having been in business my whole life - you supply what people want ) ......I just do not see why the demand is there........

Izabarack · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
I think this year is a new low anyway, ......

Not sure how you arrive at that judgement. Scott from Marketing thinks any boost to turnover in the economy is a good thing, to the point where he is handing out stimulus packages. Australia is a Capitalistic society/economy and narrow, religious oriented "rules" don't seem relevant anymore given the fall off in the number of people in the population identifying as Christian. Commercial entities like Coles and Woolies respond to consumer demand. Religious freedoms can coexist with the obvious disregard or ignorance of the significance of the cross mark on the buns. I am happy to let each decide for themselves whether or not they want to buy fruit buns with an X on the top.

Iza

rgren2 · Guru

KJB wrote:
I am not querying the producers/sellers - good luck to them ( having been in business my whole life - you supply what people want ) ......I just do not see why the demand is there........

Because they taste great, mate. biggrin

Possum3 · Guru

I'm just glad that they don't represent the round rock on Jesus' Tomb with a Gethsemane Donut, that would certainly add to the Nations obesity problem - I wonder if some marketing type may take this up? hmnn.

TheHeaths · Guru

Izabarack wrote:
TheHeaths wrote:
I think this year is a new low anyway, ......
Not sure how you arrive at that judgement. Scott from Marketing thinks any boost to turnover in the economy is a good thing, to the point where he is handing out stimulus packages. Australia is a Capitalistic society/economy and narrow, religious oriented "rules" don't seem relevant anymore given the fall off in the number of people in the population identifying as Christian. Commercial entities like Coles and Woolies respond to consumer demand. Religious freedoms can coexist with the obvious disregard or ignorance of the significance of the cross mark on the buns. I am happy to let each decide for themselves whether or not they want to buy fruit buns with an X on the top.

Iza

Iza,

The quote is referring to the undue haste this year bringing them out the day after Christmas. Nothing more or less, and needs to be read in that context.

As for consumer demand, that is driven not by the consumer generally, but by a) profit and b) what the stores want to sell. Consumer demand is often what the shops have convinced us we want, not the other way around.

You are entitled to your opinion, but I disagree on the basis that I consider it is reasonable to expect some form of respect for the religious beliefs of a not insignificant group of Australians. Sometimes we just can't expect to have everything we want when we want it. I hope that should something you hold close or important is chosen to meet consumer demand, you will be as understanding.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 30th of December 2020 06:45:18 PM

Izabarack · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
As for consumer demand, that is driven not by the consumer generally, but by a) profit and b) what the stores want to sell. Consumer demand is often what the shops have convinced us we want, not the other way around.

I am interested in your perspective, Ian, and have no wish to offend. My correspondent has several years experience working in a Big 2 bakery and has long reported to me that the staff is constantly asked to produce Hot Cross buns. Customers literally approach bakery staff and ask when Hot Cross buns will be on the shelf. I take that as evidence that the demand is consumer driven. These stores sell what sells. Store management has imposed goals for supply such that bakery must replenish stock on the shelf so that a late shopper, just before closing, can get some buns, fresh. Demand is thus measured by the number of times per day bakery must bake another batch. Over supply, profit margin, is also measured by a count of how many packs are marked down next day because they are not "same day baked". As wastage is low, store management is further encouraged to give the customer what they want. I notice that the flavour variety is also increasing, chocolate chip and apple and cinnamon are apparently very popular. I have no explanation as to what is driving the demand. Could just be a trend. Maybe the shops have convinced us what we want. Either way, it seems to be working for them.

Iza

Warren-Pat_01 · Guru

I know one person complaining on this forum is not going to make any difference but why do the Big Two insist on bringing the buns out around the two major Christian events? Are the supermarkets trying like some state governments, to break down society's values? Perhaps they won't mind if governments scrap the public holidays too.
If the customer says "I want", why aren't the buns available all year round? The issue was raised in our Townsville Bulletin on Monday this week. We definitely won't be buying any until the right time.

Thank you Possum for your wise writing - I'm certain it was not tapped out on your old typewriter.

TheHeaths · Guru

Izabarack wrote:
TheHeaths wrote:
As for consumer demand, that is driven not by the consumer generally, but by a) profit and b) what the stores want to sell. Consumer demand is often what the shops have convinced us we want, not the other way around.
I am interested in your perspective, Ian, and have no wish to offend. My correspondent has several years experience working in a Big 2 bakery and has long reported to me that the staff is constantly asked to produce Hot Cross buns. Customers literally approach bakery staff and ask when Hot Cross buns will be on the shelf. I take that as evidence that the demand is consumer driven. These stores sell what sells. Store management has imposed goals for supply such that bakery must replenish stock on the shelf so that a late shopper, just before closing, can get some buns, fresh. Demand is thus measured by the number of times per day bakery must bake another batch. Over supply, profit margin, is also measured by a count of how many packs are marked down next day because they are not "same day baked". As wastage is low, store management is further encouraged to give the customer what they want. I notice that the flavour variety is also increasing, chocolate chip and apple and cinnamon are apparently very popular. I have no explanation as to what is driving the demand. Could just be a trend. Maybe the shops have convinced us what we want. Either way, it seems to be working for them.
Iza

No offence taken, Iza.

I just disagree with this from the stores, as while not a practising Christian myself, my wife and a number of friends are, and they are saddened by this. I protest on their behalf, and for their beliefs to be respected by big business.

As Warren-Pat says, one or two protests on a forum have little effect, and I know my email to Coles will achieve nothing, but I had to put it forward. I made it clear to Coles that it does influence my purchasing (with other things) and while it wont break them, the loss of our money for food and fuel means they need to sell several thousand packs more to recoup the income we do not generate.

-- Edited by TheHeaths on Wednesday 30th of December 2020 09:12:03 PM

Bobdown · Guru

Old and Grey wrote:
Yep, Your favourite Hot Cross Buns back on sale Today at Coles Supermarkets. Go Figure.$$$
Old

Easter Eggs are out now too, yum chocolate........... smile

Cheers Bob

Eaglemax · Guru

yobarr wrote:
Old and Grey wrote:
Yep, Your favourite Hot Cross Buns back on sale Today at Coles Supermarkets. Go Figure.$$$
Old
Typical of the "we want it NOW" generation,unfortunately.Cheers

Provide proof it's the "want it now" generations action that created early bun sales. Maybe the "blame others for everything" types have an attitude?

Whenarewethere · Guru

One needs to be careful what you ask for.

If Easter Buns are banned all year round, next it will be all shops closed on Saturdays!

Cupie · Guru

SWMBO got a six pack today .. New Years Day.

I like them toasted & spread with Vegemite.

-- Edited by Cupie on Friday 1st of January 2021 06:39:30 PM

watsea · Guru

How about this Not Cross Bun that I found in Yankalilla SA a few years ago?

Still has the desired bun and correctly made icing though iced in a non religious shape. Suitable for any season?

Everyone should be happy. At least the bun looks that way.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Just be careful not to put 6 buns, 6 buns & 6 more buns in the oven, one could get badly burnt!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

The day of Equality has arrived

Sorry, the Devil made me do it.

Tony Bev · Guru

I am waiting for the day (sometime next week) when Woolies put up a sign
Get your freshly made 2024 Hot Cross Buns now

And the next day Coles put up their sign
Get your freshly made 2025 Hot Cross Buns now

And IGA put up their sign a day later
We still have 2021 Hot Cross Buns for sale, get them before Easter

Craig1 · Guru

and then Hot Bake will go It is the 22nd March 2021, you have two weeks of guilt free Hot Cross Buns, made fresh daily

Roy E · Senior Member

What gets me is that none of the HOT cross buns are hot.
If I bought a "HOT" pie and it was cold, I'd be pissed off?
When I was a kid and the local baker (around Easter) made Easter buns, they were hot from the bakery and sold as Hot Cross Buns.
Cheers,
Roy.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Hot cross buns are actually hot angry buns because they are cold!

Izabarack · Guru

TheHeaths wrote:
.....I consider it is reasonable to expect some form of respect for the religious beliefs of a not insignificant group of Australians.

Ian, I have had my correspondent follow up with store management. Yes, they are aware of the religious beliefs of some customers and have tried to balance the requests from the range of customers with those who see a specific religious connection to "Hot cross buns". It appears it is the name that is associated with a particular recipe and taste and style of baked goods. As said earlier, customers who want plain fruit buns of the particular recipe can ask for a batch of buns minus the x on the top. My bakery worker friend tells me they often get that request.

Interesting aside, other religious orientations have made approaches to grocery outlets for special consideration of their religious beliefs. For example, pork is banned by some religions, Halal certification is required for some religions, beef is prohibited for Hindus, and even yeast is banned for part of the year for some. Store management cannot cater for all the religious beliefs out there and, at the same time, exclude choice on the basis of one religion.

Iza