Today
Shoppers’ anger makes ‘Colesworth’ the word of the year
The language researchers who help compile Oxford University’s Australian dictionaries track the words that have gained prominence over the past 12 months.
- Sam Buckingham-Jones
Yesterday
Woolworths suppliers put on ‘holiday’ for price pushback, ACCC hears
The competition regulator’s public hearings have been told some producers did not receive any orders from the supermarket if they refused to drop prices.
- Carrie LaFrenz
This Month
ACCC takes on Woolworths boss in rare intervention
The supermarket giant appeared at a public hearing on Monday as the regulator investigated the market power of it and its biggest rival, Coles.
- Carrie LaFrenz and Tom McIlroy
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
The moment the ACCC boss put the heat on Woolies
The competition regulator is clearly sceptical about the way the supermarket giants use discounts, and whether the market is really competitive.
- James Thomson
Populist attacks on supermarkets serve no one
Readers’ letters on attacks on Coles and Woolies; social media age bans; Archbishop of Canterbury’s resignation; a fix for high-density development; the UN climate conference; and the Senate’s financial services inquiry.
Supermarkets face earnings crunch if loyalty schemes are dismantled
Macquarie warns of a drag on the performance of Coles and Woolworths if the competition watchdog disrupts their customer retention programs.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Make university free, but beware the professional student
Readers’ letters on the downside of fee-free uni; supermarket competition; the US election result; lessons for a future female US president; approvals for renewables; and the impact of extreme weather.
Coles chairman says cost of living has been ‘politicised’
James Graham told the comapny’s AGM that supermarkets are being targeted unfairly by politicians.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Aldi proves populism won’t cut grocery prices
Breaking up Coles and Woolworths makes for a populist soundbite, but Aldi’s evidence at the ACCC supermarket inquiry suggests it wouldn’t drive grocery prices down.
- Updated
- James Thomson
- Exclusive
- Retail
Red flag over Choice’s taxpayer-funded grocery price watch
The consumer advocacy group has overstated the difference in prices between the big supermarkets and discount store Aldi, a Wall Street investment bank says.
- Carrie LaFrenz
If you want the top job, say so: Coles CEO
Leah Weckert has some refreshingly honest career advice for aspiring executives, particularly women.
- Patrick Durkin
Suppliers say supermarkets rule the power dynamic
Food and grocery manufacturers claim supermarkets have the upper hand in a price setting process that can lead to sensitive business information being disclosed.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Joe Aston on Qantas | Supermarket profit squeeze | Super sector’s sleeper threat
This week, James and Anthony welcome guest star Joe Aston to talk Qantas and politics, reveal why there’s fresh bad news for supermarkets, and ask what’s bothering our biggest super funds.
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.
- Patrick Durkin and Hannah Wootton
October
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.
- Gus McCubbing
- Updated
- Retail
Coles bets on fewer but steeper discounts to lure shoppers
Unlike its larger rival Woolworths, the average price at the company’s stores continues to increase – although at a much slower pace than previous quarters.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Updated
- Woolworths
Woolworths warns of profit hit as discounting cuts into prices
Falling prices at the country’s largest supermarket come as underlying inflation is also lowering. But few economists expect interest rate cuts this year.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Chanticleer
Woolies’ new CEO just delivered a profit mess in aisle three
Amanda Bardwell’s first sales call as CEO has been marked by a nasty profit downgrade and share price sell-off. And things aren’t going to get better quickly.
- James Thomson
Coles, Woolworths blame price hikes on suppliers
The two supermarket chains appeared in Federal Court on Wednesday to defend the case brought against them by the competition watchdog.
- Updated
- Carrie LaFrenz
ACCC finds supermarket shelves riddled with sham discounts
Documents lodged with the Federal Court show hundreds of items from hand wash to infant formula were promoted at prices higher than the “regular price”.
- Carrie LaFrenz