This Month
End policy paralysis: Top CEOs map out productivity fixes
The nation’s foremost chief executives told the annual Chanticleer poll that governments need to foster global competitiveness among local businesses.
Australia’s business leaders share the secrets to their 2025 success
The leaders, builders, pioneers and stirrers shaping Australia’s business landscape reveal what went right in 2025 and what they want to see in 2026.
Resilience, sense of adventure unite Business People of the Year
Mike Dorrell, Jo Horgan, Dennis Bastas, Meg O’Neill, David Harrison and Leah Weckert all had a stellar 2025. Defining traits are at the heart of their success.
Leah Weckert puts Coles ahead of Woolies for first time in decades
The retailer’s first female boss, a former McKinsey strategist and loyalty executive, has cracked the grocery code, outpacing Woolworths’ sales two years running.
November
‘Can’t PowerPoint your way out of it’: 2 risks to define next decade
Australia’s top spy and the Future Fund chief have set out the big risks that will shape the next 10 years. The good news is we can prepare for them.
Woolworths’ Bardwell gets to work convincing the market of turnaround
The low-profile supermarket executive told fund managers she was focused on growing private label sales and overhauling the retail giant’s complex structure.
October
Inside the five-year plan that has Coles racing ahead of Woolworths
A decade ago, the country’s second-largest supermarket chain was a basket case. Thanks to sound execution and plenty of mistakes from its rival, it is now soaring.
September
The 10 most powerful people in corporate Australia in 2025
The business leaders who, in the view of our panel, have the most power to act unilaterally or to shape the political agenda.
More CEOs make the power list, but not many have a seat at the table
Does the entrenchment of Labor at the federal level further erode the top end of town’s ability to shape public policy?
August
Coles cost-cutting opens path to price war with Woolworths, Aldi
The supermarket giant’s chief executive, Leah Weckert, told investors the cost of hundreds of products would fall to keep strong momentum in sales going.
July
Here’s what a top-50 CEO looks like
The chief executives of the country’s biggest companies are getting younger and the chances of them being female are rising.
April
Meat price rises could be just one (of some) unintended tariff hits to Australia
Australian business leaders are scrambling to understand the second- and third-order impacts of Trump’s trade war. And they might not play out as expected.
The five numbers that explain why Coles is beating Woolies
Coles Group is showing its larger rival a clean pair of heels as the battle for value-conscious consumers shows no signs of ending.
December 2024
Weckert stamps her mark on Coles amid tumultuous year for supermarkets
Leah Weckert, one of the Business People of the Year for 2024, has fared well amid a barrage of criticism from politicians over grocery prices.
Business Person awards celebrate founder success
AirTrunk and Chemist Warehouse’s founder stories underline the importance of innovative and risk-taking entrepreneurship, perceptiveness, and persistence to build wealth- and job-creating enterprises.
Humble starts, billion-dollar deals unite Business Person of the Year winners
Founders of Chemist Warehouse Jack Gance, Sam Gance and Mario Verrocchi, and AirTrunk’s Robin Khuda take the top prize for 2024.
November 2024
If you want the top job, say so: Coles CEO
Leah Weckert has some refreshingly honest career advice for aspiring executives, particularly women.
Weckert and Wikramanayake paint a bigger picture on profits
Big business deserves big scrutiny. But we shouldn’t lose sight of the bigger picture that the Coles and Macquarie bosses are painting on why profits are important.
Coles CEO warns Canberra on profit blame game
Leah Weckert has backed warnings by Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney that “profit has become a dirty word” as she urged greater collaboration to tackle food inflation.
October 2024
Home brands have had a makeover - and customers love it
As families faces stubbornly high mortgage and utilities bills, they are increasingly turning to Woolworths and Coles’ own brands. It is a lucrative sale.