Coles says its supermarkets have reopened after a technical issue sent computers offline, forcing stores to clear out customers and shut their doors.
"Coles supermarkets nationally have reopened for trade after a technical issue with our point of sale system meant we were briefly unable to process transactions this afternoon," a Coles spokeswoman said in a statement on Friday night.
Earlier, customers took to social media to find out what was going on after facing closed doors and long lines.
"All registers offline," a Canberra shopper tweeted.
An online video from a store at Richmond in Melbourne showed queues of overflowing trolleys at checkouts.
"#Coles are experiencing register problems & have asked everyone to leave," a post from Sydney's Cabramatta Community account read.
Users on social media have posted photos of abandoned shopping trolleys and Coles supermarkets with their shutters down.
"This was #Fairfield, but we've been told that all stores in NSW are closed at the moment.
To appease customers, Coles is offering shoppers triple "flybuys" points on purchases made over the weekend and free home delivery on orders above $50 until 18 October.
