April 2023
Coles turns to automated DC to boost shelf availability
Five years ago, Coles pushed the button on the single biggest technology investment in its history: automated distribution starting in Redbank, Brisbane.
February 2023
Businesses stop playing and start using ChatGPT
Coles, Wisetech, Westpac, Telstra and Kogan are among numerous companies trying to get on board the latest AI wave, with mixed results, but high expectations.
Coles warns on price rises as shoppers switch to cheaper goods
Profits at the supermarket chain rose 11.4 per cent to $616 million for the six months to December 31, although inflationary pressures will begin to ease.
October 2022
Retail chiefs rue ‘missed opportunity’ to turn economy around
The nation’s largest retailers say the federal government needs a better plan for growth declining productivity to boost living standards and wages.
Coles boss signals more price increases as food inflation hits 7.1pc
Steven Cain says the supply chain is still fragile and a ‘steady stream of requests’ by suppliers to push prices higher is still coming through.
Coles boss still expects Christmas splurge
CEO Steven Cain says any pull-pack in spending will not be likely until early 2023, with consumers tipped to spend up on booze, seafood and locally produced products like ham from South Australia.
September 2022
Coles hoists white flag on petrol
Carbon emissions shifting is becoming a feature of the Australian economy as companies make choices between going green or staying carbon-heavy.
August 2022
Seven CEOs, six sectors, one message on Australia’s big challenge
From Seven Group to Coles, from Domino’s to WiseTech, the challenges in securing staff are perhaps the biggest issue facing Australian business.
Lettuce price falls don’t spell the end of food inflation
Coles CEO Steven Cain says the iceberg lettuce is back around $3 a head - but he is not predicting an overall moderation in food inflation before 2023.
Coles boss says pace of food price rises will ease next year
The CEO of Domino’s also said there were early signs price pressures associated with key ingredients such as wheat and cheese were starting to flatten out.
March 2022
Frydenberg warns on ‘opportunistic’ price increases
The Treasurer warned businesses against forcing through opportunistic price increases as a leading retail analyst said shoppers faced increases of 10 per cent-plus on a range of goods in coming weeks.
February 2022
Coles boss: higher oil prices, lack of migration to push up inflation
Steven Cain says its home brands will grow further as consumers seek value amid rising household costs.
Flybuys taps Anna Lee as its new CEO
Flybuys has appointed The Iconic executive Anna Lee as its new chief executive officer following the resignation of John Merakovsky.
November 2021
Two-thirds of Coles butchers take redundancies
About 900 in-store butchers took redundancy packages as Coles officially shifted to pre-packaged meat last month ahead of Christmas.
Flybuys signs deal with Bunnings, Officeworks
This will increase the number of partners for the joint venture loyalty program between Coles and Wesfarmers to 25.
October 2021
Coles sales edge up, pallets squeeze a concern
The retailer incurred $75 million in first-quarter COVID-19 costs, which accelerated in August-September as 20,000 staff had to isolate in NSW and Victoria.
Coles CEO Steven Cain readies for robust Christmas spending
‘There’s a lot of catching up to do’. The Coles boss says some of the extra $100 billion in bank accounts will go to premium food and drink.
August 2021
Top CEOs prepare to follow Qantas, SPC on no jab, no job
Optus and Airtasker are among the major companies putting workers on notice, with Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin saying mandatory inoculation was ‘sensible for certain roles to protect our teams and our customers’.
Why Coles sees light at the end of the tunnel
Coles might be back on the front line of lockdowns, but chief executive Steve Cain is taking heart from the growing momentum of the vaccine rollout.
June 2021
Rising capex to hit Coles returns
Coles Group boss Steven Cain promises not to leave the 450,000 shareholders behind after a big step-up in spending to $1.4 billion.