Australia’s retail giants, Coles and Woolworths, are accused of unfair pricing and harsh treatment of suppliers amid a living-cost crisis. However, the Australian Retail Association (ARA), representing a whopping $420 billion industry, firmly disputes these allegations. They argue that sales and operational costs have escalated far beyond the rate of profit gains over the past
Greens Advocate for Supermarket Divestiture Authority Read More »
A troubling trend has emerged in agriculture: farmers are stuck with heaps of unsold produce, often left to rot because big supermarkets refuse to buy them. Rachel Chambers, the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive, has sounded the alarm, accusing these major retailers of intentionally flooding the market with excessive quantities of food, leading
Farmers Accuse Supermarkets of Oversupply Tactics Read More »
Roger Drake, a former Coles trolley collector turned Adelaide supermarket magnate, has ascended to the upper echelons of Australia’s wealthiest individuals. Despite being in his 70s, Drake remains actively involved in his business empire, Drakes Supermarkets, which spans 60 locations across South Australia and Queensland. Ranked at a formidable 173 on The Australian’s prestigious list
Roger Drake Now Worth $827 Million Read More »
In a recent revelation, a former cherry farmer, Michael Cunial, shared his ordeal of being shortchanged nearly $85,000 by major supermarkets, Coles and Woolworths. Cunial, hailing from Orange, recounted his losses from seven deliveries of cherries, where he expected $90,000 for 15 tonnes but received a mere $5800 on the seconds market. Cunial’s story sheds
Parliamentary Investigation on Supermarket Price Practices Resumes in Orange Read More »
In early 2022, when Doug Jones took the helm as CEO of Metcash, he encountered a digital transformation initiative that fell short of its promises. The ambitious project, dubbed Project Horizon, aimed to overhaul Metcash’s IT infrastructure, consolidating nine disparate systems into a single platform powered by Microsoft. However, what seemed like a dream quickly
Lessons Learned from Metcash’s Digital Transformation Journey Read More »
In a recent communication to packaged food and grocery suppliers, Jonathan Torr, a top executive at Coles, emphasised the importance of cost reduction in response to consumer concerns about affordability. With living expenses increasing and pressure from both consumers and regulators to lower shelf prices, Torr stressed that cutting costs is a shared responsibility between
Coles Urges Suppliers to Cut Costs Amidst Rising Living Expenses Read More »
Competition watchdog chairman Gina Cass-Gottlieb asserts that consumers are fed up with supermarkets’ unjustifiably high prices and profits. In response, she has vowed to take decisive action against any anticompetitive practices that contribute to the rising cost of living. “Consumers are voicing their concerns loud and clear about the high prices and profits in supermarkets,”
ACCC Chairman Vows Action Against Unreasonable Supermarket Prices Read More »
Farmer Dale Williams, a seasoned figure in the agricultural world, has long been privy to the challenges faced by farmers dealing with supermarkets. However, he’s often kept mum about the darker side of these dealings, fearing repercussions from the big buyers. “There’s always this looming fear that if you speak out, you might lose out
Farmers Insist On Protecting Their Supply Agreements To Testify In Supermarket Inquiries Read More »
Soft drink shelves across supermarkets are bare due to a shortage of carbon dioxide (CO2). BOC, a major supplier, explained that the East Coast of Australia is experiencing a temporary CO2 supply shortage. The problem stems from disruptions in local CO2 sources and issues with international freight for imported CO2 products. The duration of the
Carbon Dioxide Shortage Leaves Supermarket Shelves Empty Read More »
Coles CEO Leah Weckert has confirmed a decrease in requests from food and grocery suppliers for price hikes to counter the impact of high inflation. This suggests that Coles may soon lower its prices, responding to both consumer demands and political scrutiny regarding its market dominance. Recent reports revealed that Coles had urged some suppliers
Coles CEO Notes Decrease In Suppliers’ Demands For Price Hikes Read More »
In a recent announcement, Coles’ CEO Leah Weckert has revealed exciting news for savvy shoppers on a budget. She predicts more discounts and special offers to come at Coles, as the company’s research indicates that many customers are feeling the pinch, especially with mortgage repayments. Despite Coles Group reporting an 8.4% drop in net profit
Coles Experiences Decline in Profits Despite Increase in Sales Read More »
Woolworths, Australia’s largest supermarket chain, is facing criticism after announcing the removal of Norco branded milk from the shelves of nearly 100 of its Metro stores. Norco, a farmers’ cooperative established in 1895 and based in Lismore, Northern New South Wales, produces a range of dairy products, including milk, flavoured milk, cheese, and butter. The
Woolworths Drops Aussie-Owned Norco Milk, Faces Backlash Read More »
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has taken a firm stance in the ongoing debate regarding the market influence and pricing strategies of major supermarket chains Woolworths and Coles. In a submission to the Greens-led Senate inquiry, the ACCC advocates for the implementation of measures to address unfair trading practices and a reform of
ACCC Submits to Senate Inquiry on Supermarkets Read More »
