Employees at two of Australia's largest supermarket chains have revealed the existence of secret, scheduled songs played to energise staff and signal specific tasks. The upbeat tracks, now a well-known in-store tradition, have sparked amusement and discussion among workers and customers alike.
The Coles 2pm Weekend Rumble
At Coles supermarkets across Australia, the weekend shift gets a specific boost of energy. Every Saturday and Sunday at precisely 2pm, the store's internal Coles Radio system plays the iconic 1990s dance track 'Get Ready for This' by Belgian-Dutch act 2 Unlimited.
A spokesperson for Coles confirmed to the Daily Mail that the song, internally referred to as the '2pm Rumble', prompts team members to tidy the store after a busy morning. "Coles Radio plays the 2pm Rumble song on weekends, prompting our team members to have some fun while giving the store a tidy up after a busy morning," they stated.
The tradition has become a viral sensation on social media. Coles' own TikTok team shared a video of a shopper dancing in the long-life milk aisle when the clock struck two, captioned "IYKYK" (if you know, you know). Another video posted by a worker, @carlyj1980s, showed staff lip-syncing to the track's famous "let's get ready to rumble" intro and tossing cardboard boxes like confetti before breaking into an impromptu dance party.
Woolworths' Daily 3.02pm Pump Up
Coles is not alone in using musical cues. Its major rival, Woolworths, has its own daily motivational anthem. At 3.02pm every single day, all Woolworths stores play 'Pump It Up!' by Belgian musician Danzel.
A Woolworths employee explained the purpose, saying, "Did you know that the Pump It Up! song plays at 3.02pm every day in all stores? It's so we can pump our vibes." A company spokesperson confirmed the precise timing, noting it is "not a second earlier."
The song serves as a reminder for department managers to prepare for the evening trade and to energise the team for the remainder of the shift. Videos have emerged from stores, such as one in Queensland, showing workers dancing in the cold food aisle when the tune begins.
Staff and Public Reaction
The revelation of these corporate rituals has prompted mixed reactions. On social media, some Coles workers and customers enthusiastically celebrate the 2pm Rumble, with comments like "Rumble time!!" and "How I know it's roughly 2pm."
The Woolworths 3pm song, however, has received a more varied response from staff. One employee joked, "As a Woolies worker, I can tell you it doesn't pump us up and we collectively groan." Another shared, "It drives me crazy but then I'm like, 'Yes, one hour until home time.'" Others claimed they had no idea why the song played, suggesting its meaning isn't universally communicated.
The Woolworths tradition even sparked a discussion on Melbourne's Fox FM breakfast radio show, with hosts Fifi Box and Brendan Fevola expressing disbelief before having it confirmed by a store employee.
These musical interludes highlight the unique internal cultures of major retailers, using familiar pop tunes to synchronise tasks, boost morale, and create a shared moment of levity during the working day. While not all employees are fans, the songs have undoubtedly become a distinctive feature of the Australian supermarket experience.
