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Coles Group

OVERALL

Owned
AUS
Rating
Praises, some criticism

Retailing

Coles Group was spun-off from Wesfarmers in November 2018. Wesfarmers kept Officeworks, Kmart and Target, which were part of Coles Group when it was acquired by Wesfarmers for $20 billion in 2007. The new Coles group operates over 2,500 retail outlets around Australia across three divisions: Supermarkets, Liquor and Convenience. Coles was founded in 1914, publicly listed in 1929, merged with Myer in 1986 and sold Myer in 2006.

Company Ownership

Coles Group Ltd   AUS     website         
  Wesfarmers Ltd   
   owns 10% of Coles Group Ltd  
AUS     website   email      twitter

Retail, energy, insurance, chemicals

Founded in WA in 1914 as a farmers' cooperative, today Wesfarmers operations include department stores; home improvement and office supplies; insurance; chemicals, energy and fertilisers; and industrial and safety products. Acquired Coles Group in 2007 for $20 billion in the biggest takeover in Australian corporate history. Coles was spun-off in November 2018. Wesfarmers kept Officeworks, Kmart and Target, which were part of Coles Group when it was acquired by Wesfarmers.

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Coles Group Ltd
Social 39.1% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2022 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 127 companies in the food and agriculture, ICT and automotive manufacturing sectors on their human rights performance. This company received a score of 39.1%. The overall average score was a disappointing 17.3% and the highest score was 50.3%.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2022)
Social Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Human Rights Law Centre's 2022 report, "Broken Promises: Two years of corporate reporting under Australia's Modern Slavery Act", examines statements submitted to the Government's Modern Slavery Register by 92 companies sourcing from four sectors with known risks of modern slavery: garments from China, rubber gloves from Malaysia, seafood from Thailand and fresh produce from Australia. Modern slavery statements are analysed to see if they comply with the mandatory reporting requirements, identify or disclose obvious modern slavery risks, and demonstrate effective actions to address risks. This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a rating in the 81-100% range. The average score was 44% and the highest score was 89%.
Source: Human Rights Law Centre (2022)
Animals Tier 3 in farm animal welfare rankings
The 2021 Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) report ranks global food companies on how they are managing and reporting their farm animal welfare policies and practices. This company appeared in tier 3, "Established but work to be done", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW (2021)
Business Ethics 49.6% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2021 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 keystone companies across the entirety of the food system, from farm to fork. It covers three dimensions where transformation is needed: nutrition, environment and social inclusion. This company ranked #12/350, with a total score of 49.6/100.
Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2021)
Social Misleading conduct
In 2019 this company agreed to pay Norco around $5.25 million for distribution to its dairy farmer members. The payments follow an ACCC investigation into whether Coles fully passed on to Norco a 10 cents per litre (cpl) price rise it charged consumers for Coles branded fresh milk, as it claimed it would do in Coles’ marketing materials. The ACCC was "fully prepared to take Coles to court over what we believe was an egregious breach of the Australian Consumer Law."
Source: ACCC (2019)
Business Ethics Part owned by Wesfarmers, which has criticisms
This company is 10% owned by Wesfarmers, which has criticisms in the Shop Ethical database.
Source: Shop Ethical (2019)
Business Ethics Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $165,000 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website under the headings ethical sourcing, responsible sourcing, environment, health and nutrition, community and suppliers, and our people. Coles also outlines 10 key commitments in the area of food waste and packaging.
Source: company website (2018)
Social 46/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2020/21 KnowTheChain benchmarked over 180 large global companies in the ICT, Food & Beverage, and Apparel & Footwear sectors on their efforts to address forced labour and human trafficking in their supply chains. This company received a score of 46/100.
Source: KnowTheChain (2021)
Business Ethics 40/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 40/100 in the Food & Staples Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 18 Nov 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Employees 112,000 (2018)
Subsidiaries Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd 

Supermarkets and liquor stores

Coles was spun-off from Wesfarmers in November 2018. Wesfarmers kept Officeworks, Kmart and Target, which were part of Coles Group when it was acquired by Wesfarmers for $20 billion in 2007. The new Coles Group operates over 2,500 retail outlets around Australia across three divisions: Supermarkets, Liquor and Convenience. Coles exited the hotels and poker machine business in 2019, but still operates bottle shops.


  - Eureka Operations Pty Ltd 

Fuel & convenience stores operator

There are more than 700 Coles Express stores located across Australia. Coles Express operates the retail side of the business and Viva Energy is their exclusive fuel supplier. In September 2022 Coles announced plans to sell its convenience store network to Viva Energy.


  - Queensland Venue Co (50% owned) 

Hotel operators

This joint venture began in 2019 when the KKR controlled Australian Venue Company took over Coles' hotels business which operates mainly in Queensland. Under the deal KKR runs the hotels (and poker machines) while Coles runs the liquor stores.


  - Liquorland (Australia) Pty Ltd 

Alcohol retail

Coles operates over 900 bottle shops under the banners 1st Choice, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars. It imports under the names James Busby Fine Wine & Spirits, and Australian Beer Connoisseurs. Sold its pubs and pokies business in 2019.

Contact Details

Address 800 Toorak Rd, Hawthorn East, VIC, 3123, Australia
Phone 03 9829 5111
Website www.colesgroup.com.au

Products / Brands

Coles Supermarkets
Assure Feminine Hygiene
Assure Incontinence Needs
BOM Breakfast On the Go
Coles House Brands
Coles Supermarkets
Coles Cheese
Coles 100% recycled certified FSC Recycled certified FSC Recycled  Toilet Paper
Coles Joyful Health Bars
Coles Joyful Muesli Bars
Coles So Soft Toilet Paper
Coles Ultra Floor Cleaners
Coles Ultra Dishwashing Detergent
Coles Ultra Toilet Cleaners
Coles Ultra Window & Glass Cleaners
Coles Ultra Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Coles Ultra Stain Removal & Prewash
CUB certified organic certified organic  Baby Formula
CUB certified organic certified organic  Baby Food
CUB Baby Toiletries
CUB Nappies
CUB Baby Wipes
CUB Baby Accessories
Cucina Matese Pasta
Elevate Dog Food
Elevate Cat Food
Herb & Sons Vegetarian & Vegan
Ion Laundry Detergent
KOi Body Wash
KOi Soap
KOi Hand Wash/Sanitiser
KOi Skin Care
Mix Childrenswear
Mix Menswear (casual)
Mix Womens Fashion
Mix Babywear
Mix Underwear & Socks
Mix Hosiery
Nature's Kitchen Vegetarian & Vegan
NRG Batteries
Purr Cat Food
Ultra Laundry Detergent
Wellness Road Health Foods
Wellness Road Muesli & Oats
Wild Tides Canned Fish (Tuna)
Woofin' Good Dog Food
Woofin' Good Dog Treats
Woofin' Good Pet Food (chilled)
Zena Shampoo

Coles Express
Coles Express Fuel & Convenience Stores

Coles Liquor
Cassidy Liqueur
El Sueno Seltzer
First Choice Liquor Stores
Hammer 'N' Tongs Beer
John Samson Scotch Whisky
Kentucky Gold Bourbon
Liquorland Liquor Stores
Maxx Beer
Mayfair Gin
Mr Finch Cider
Old Lions Gin
Pure Origin Vodka
Smithy's Beer
Somma Seltzer
Steamrail Beer
Tinnies Beer
Vintage Cellars Liquor Stores
Volsk Vodka


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