Yesterday
Supermarkets aren’t price-gouging, but try telling that to politicians
The pricing and profits at Coles and Woolworths are set to become a political football again on the eve of the 2025 federal election campaign.
Coles sales growth beats Woolworths, dividend rises
The retail giant also gained from industrial action at its rival in December, which resulted in empty shelves and customers defecting.
This Month
Woolworths unleashes $400m in cost cuts to convince market it can grow
Chief executive Amanda Bardwell faces a market increasingly concerned about the supermarket’s trajectory as profits fall.
Cass-Gottlieb fires warning shot at big telco, energy players
The competition watchdog will keep a sharp eye on the retail sector, but also other essential services such as telecommunications and energy.
Woolworths restructures to supercharge lacklustre supermarket growth
The company’s chief executive Amanda Bardwell has elevated a long-time executive to oversee a combined supermarkets and home-brand products division.
Coles calls in Bain as it slashes the number of products on shelves
Australia’s second-largest supermarket chain quietly wants to reduce its range by at least 10 per cent – a move which should lead to higher profits.
January
Four charts reveal surprising views on Aussie businesses
Voters hate Coles and Woolworths? Think again. Amid a debate on the role of business in society, a new poll unearths some unexpected views on business.
PepsiCo accused of ‘rigging’ the soft-drink market
The US Federal Trade Commission sued the beverage maker, alleging illegal price discrimination by giving unfair price advantages to one retailer.
December 2024
Woolworths NZ faces criminal charges for allegedly misleading shoppers
The Commerce Commission was not satisfied that “specials really are special”, leading to legal action against the supermarket and its rival Pak’nSave.
Hit to Woolworths sales from strike grows to $140m, expected to rise
The supermarket giant agreed to a pay deal with the union on Saturday, ending industrial action. But it will take weeks to restock stores and warehouses.
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.
Amazon is quietly turning into a major rival for Coles and Woolworths
Goldman Sachs estimates it is now the second-largest online retailer in Australia, but sales are still a fraction of the big supermarkets. Will that change?
End RBA scapegoating and come up with policy solutions
Readers’ letters on the Reserve Bank pile-on; supermarket “discounts”; a lost opportunity to protect the environment; support for the social media age ban; and rooftop solar.
Woolworths strike bill tops $50m as disruption spreads to Dan Murphy’s
The nation’s largest supermarket operator has applied for an urgent tribunal order to keep unions from blocking access to distribution sites in Victoria and NSW.
Supermarket giants use the $5 Oreo to argue their discounts are real
The ACCC has accused Woolworths and Coles of misleading shoppers. The retailers say the regulator doesn’t understand how pricing works.
Woolworths shelves empty across Melbourne as union blocks deliveries
The scenes are reminiscent of the panic shopping and supply chain problems during the COVID-19 years.
‘Santa’s on strike’: Woolies warehouse staff pack it in
Hundreds of picketing workers fighting Woolworths for better pay and conditions have delayed a warehouse reopening, leaving supermarket shelves bare. How the day unfolded.
November 2024
Meet the skincare company with 460pc growth
Identifying a niche is easy. Filling it – at scale – is the challenge, as these successful founders discovered.
RBA on the right track
Readers’ letters on the Reserve Bank’s inflation strategy; Alexander Downer’s criticism of Labor over the ICC arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu; the ACCC inquiry into the supermarkets; the Victorian government under Premier Jacinta Allan.
Coles says focusing only on low prices sent customers away
Appearing at a competition inquiry, chief executive Leah Weckert says experience has shown shoppers want more than just cheap products.