Coles Express
OVERALL |
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Owned |
AUS |
Rating |
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Fuel & convenience stores operator
There are more than 650 Coles Express stores located across Australia. Coles Express operates the retail side of the business and Viva Energy is their exclusive fuel supplier.
Company Ownership
| Eureka Operations Pty Ltd | AUS | website | ||||
Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd 
owns 100% of Eureka Operations Pty Ltd |
AUS | website | ||||
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. | ||||||
| Coles Group Ltd
owns 100% of Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd |
AUS | website | ||||
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. | ||||||
| » Wesfarmers Ltd
owns 10% of Coles Group Ltd |
AUS | website | ||||
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. | ||||||
Company Assessment
| PRAISE | CRITICISM | INFORMATION | ||
| Eureka Operations Pty Ltd | ||||
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In 2008 Coles Express petrol stations were singled out by the ACCC for leading price hikes in four capital cities.
Source: news article (2008) |
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| Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd | ||||
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Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
This company won an award in 2019 from the Australian Packaging Covenant, for demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability by performing 'above and beyond' in their efforts to minimise waste. This company achieved the highest overall score in their category, Large Retailer Sector.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2019)
Green rating in Greenpeace Canned Tuna Guide. "Coles has taken 6th place. It has successfully made the transition to FAD-free and pole and line tuna. Coles has a solid sustainability and ethical sourcing policy for its private label tuna and sources mostly skipjack. All Coles brand tuna is now being sourced with responsible fishing methods. Coles has also invested in research that supports better traceability in the Pacific. We welcome Coles' improving approach to transparency."
Source: Canned Tuna Guide (2017) |
For eggs to be labelled free range, the Model Code of Practice says there should be a maximum of 1500 hens per hectare. In 2020 Choice updated its list of which egg brands meet the Model Code. According to the report, this company uses a stocking density of 10,000 hens per hectare for its free range eggs, well in excess of the Model Code.
Source: Choice (2020)
The WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 assesses 173 companies on the commitments they have made, and the actions they have taken, to ensure that there is no destruction of nature including no deforestation along their supply chains; and support a responsible and sustainable palm oil industry beyond their own supply chain. This company is rated 'lagging behind' with a score of 8.8 out of a possible total of 22.
Source: WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard 2019 (2019)
In April 2015 the Federal Court ordered this company to pay penalties of $2.5 million for making false or misleading representations and engaging in misleading conduct in relation to the promotion of its par baked bread products, in proceedings brought by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The products were promoted as "Baked Today, Sold Today" and in some cases "Freshly Baked In-Store", when they were in fact partially baked and frozen off site by a supplier, transported and 'finished' at in-store bakeries within Coles supermarkets.
Source: ACCC (2015)
D+ grade in the Baptist World Aid Australia's 'Ethical Fashion Report 2019', which grades companies, from A to F, on the strength of their systems to mitigate against the risks of forced labour, child labour and worker exploitation in their supply chains, as well as protect the environment from the harmful impacts of the fashion industry. Assessment criteria fall into five main categories: policies, transparency and traceability, auditing and supplier relationships, worker empowerment and environmental management.
Source: Baptist World Aid Australia (2019)
In 2020 Baptist World Aid Australia released The COVID Fashion Report, a special edition of their Ethical Fashion Report. The report is framed around six COVID Fashion Commitments that ask companies to demonstrate the steps and measures they are taking to protect and support the most vulnerable workers in their supply chains. This company showed no evidence of actions that it covered any of the COVID Fashion Commitments.
Source: Baptist World Aid Australia (2020)
In 2021 Mighty Earth and Be Slavery Free released their Easter Chocolate Shopping Guide, a scorecard which ranks retailers on transparency and cocoa sustainability practices in regards to deforestation, farmer poverty and child labour. It does not assess effectiveness or implementation. This company is rated as "Needs more work".
Source: Be Slavery Free (2021)
In 2016 the full bench of the Fair Work Commission found that Coles underpaid its employees and cut penalty rates in a cosy deal with the shop assistants' union that has cost low paid workers perhaps $70 million a year. Coles was given 10 days to provide undertakings to either compensate employees left worse off by working shifts with low penalties, or to overhaul rosters.
Source: The Age (2016)
In Dec 2014 this company admitted to unconscionable conduct against some of its suppliers and agreed to pay a $10 million penalty in a settlement with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). Coles was also ordered to refund over $12 million to suppliers.
Source: ACCC (2014) |
Coles has been awarded Environment Victoria's 'People's Choice Award' in their 2007 DUMP report. Criticised for needlessly packing fruit and vegetables, particularly organic products, on polystyrene trays and covering them with cling wrap.
Source: Environment Victoria's DUMP Report 2007 (2007)
In 2009 Coles received Environment Victoria's Golden DUMP (Damaging and Useless Materials in Packaging) Award for their 5 Pack of Lemons wrapped in unrecyclable and unnecessary plastic packaging. Shortly afterwards, Coles withdrew this product from their shelves.
Source: Environment Victoria's DUMP Report 2009 (2009)
In July 2013 the ACCC ordered Coles Supermarkets Australia to pay six infringement notices totaling $61,200 for alleged misleading representations about the country of origin of fresh produce made in five of its stores between March 2013 and May 2013.
Source: ACCC (2013)
This company has been criticised for misleading advertising. In 2015 the Advertising Standards Bureau upheld complaints about a tv ad by this company on the grounds that it breached advertising codes. The ad was subsequently discontinued or modified. Follow link for details.
Source: Advertising Standards Bureau (2015)
Named and shamed in the 2010 CHOICE Shonky Awards. Coles supermarket gets a shonky for its meal promotion fronted by celebrity chef, Curtis Stone. The deal claims you can feed four people for less than $10 the catch is you have to already happen to have some of the ingredients in your pantry--which aren't included in the price! If you include the uncosted 'pantry items' (including 3/4 of a bottle of wine) in Curtis' $7.76 Coq au vin it would actually cost more than $30.
Source: Choice (2010)
Named and shamed in the 2017 CHOICE Shonky Awards for its Coles Complete Cuisine cat food. Despite its name, this tinned treat is likely too low in fat to qualify as a 'complete' food.
Source: Choice (2017)
In Oct 2016 Coles was fined $7,500 after some of its private label loaves of bread sold in three Brisbane shops were found to be underweight.
Source: news article (2016)
This company the Parents' Voice Shame Award for Pester Power in 2018 for its Little Shop promotions. The Pester Power award goes to the food marketing campaign that uses techniques which appeal to children, leading to them nagging their parents for unhealthy foods.
Source: Parents' Voice (2018)
This 2013 investigative report by Four Corners reveals that this company ordered clothes from factories in Bangladesh that did not meet international standards. Workers in Dhaka described unacceptable conditions that see them work long hours for little pay, sometimes under the threat of abuse if deadlines are not met. [Listed under Information as Coles no longer sources garments from Bangladesh]
Source: ABC (2013)
This March 2012 report by the Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights reveals how 5,000 workers at a garment factory in Bangladesh toil under harsh and illegal sweatshop conditions making clothing for several companies including Coles/Wesfarmers' new Mix label. Workers are paid 16 to 22 cents an hour and routinely work seven-day, 84-hour work weeks with forced overtime. Every labor law in Bangladesh is routinely, systematically and grossly violated. [Listed under Information as Coles no longer sources garments from Bangladesh]
Source: Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights (2012)
Fined $170,000 and ordered to pay legal costs in April 2012 after a worker fell through a ceiling at their Manly store in 2007 and received injuries. According to WorkCover, Coles management failed to implement adequate safety procedures.
Source: news article (2012)
In April 2014 the ACCC accepted a court enforceable undertaking from Coles Supermarkets following an investigation into a video and cartoon 'Our Coles Brand Milk Story', which was published on social media. The ACCC found the video to be misleading and deceptive. The undertaking requires Coles to not make misleading or deceptive representations in relations to milk for 3 years, and review its Australian Consumer Law compliance program.
Source: ACCC (2014)
This company manufactures or distributes products that are certified organic under the Australian Certified Organic label.
Source: ACO (2018)
This company sells products which are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.
Source: MSC (2016)
Some, but not necessarily all, of this company's products are palm oil free, or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO). For more details, follow the link to see Borneo Orangutan Survival Australia's list of products which manufacturers have told them are palm oil free or contain segregated certified sustainable palm oil.
Source: BOS Australia (2020)
This company has agreed to phase out the use of microbeads in their own-brand products by 2017. These particles are not retained by wastewater treatment so end up in the ocean. While microbeads aren't thought to be a health hazard to consumers, they are a threat to the marine environment.
Source: CHOICE (2016)
Coles won the Fairtrade Retail Chain of the Year award 2013 and 2014 Fairtrade Awards.
Source: 2013 Fairtrade Awards (2013)
This company sells Fairtrade Certified tea, however this only represents a fraction of their total tea sales.
Source: Fairtrade ANZ (2019)
The RSPCA Good Egg Awards acknowledge major companies that make the switch to cage-free eggs. Coles Brand Eggs were awarded a Good Egg Award in the Retail category in 2013 for their commitment to only sourcing cage-free eggs for their Coles Brand eggs.
Source: RSPCA Australia (2013)
Coles use chicken, turkey and pork from Australian RSPCA Approved farms for their range of RSPCA Approved products. These farms raise their birds in an enriched barn environment. Chickens enjoy space to move, good lighting and can perch, dustbathe and forage.
Source: RSPCA Australia (2020)
This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying a commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2023. Essentially cage-free means barn laid, which is better than cage eggs, but still much worse than free-range or organic eggs when it comes to animal welfare.
Source: RSPCA Australia (2020)
In September 2014 Coles joined Target, Kmart and Woolworths in being open and accountable about exactly where its clothes are made, by disclosing the locations of its supplier factories in India, Cambodia and Vietnam. This is a crucial step on a journey towards better conditions for workers, Oxfam Australia said.
Source: Oxfam (2014)
Coles have a publicly available Ethical Sourcing policy on its website.
Source: company website (2015)
This company has a number of sustainability claims on its website, covering the areas sustainable environment practices, responsible sourcing and community support. Environmental claims include reducing the environmental footprint of their stores, using renewable energy, soft plastics recycling and tackling climate change.
Source: company website (2020)
Coles partnered with WWF in 2011 to improve their sustainability efforts. Since then they have collaborated to improve the sustainability of Coles' seafood supply chains, and they completed an assessment of priority foods including beef, sugar, wheat and rice, using WWF's Supply Risk Analysis methodology that identifies major environmental and social impacts and risks.
Source: WWF Australia (2014)
This company has signed up to the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, which governs certain conduct by grocery retailers and wholesalers in their dealings with suppliers. It has rules relating to grocery supply agreements, payments, termination of agreements, dispute resolution and a range of other matters.
Source: ACCC (2015)
This company is a member of Bonsucro - Better Sugar Cane Initiative, a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder organisation fostering the sustainability of the sugarcane sector through its leading metric-based certification scheme and its support for continuous improvement for members.
Source: Bonsucro (2019)
This company is a member of the Australian chapter of the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform, the main food industry initiative supporting the development of sustainable agriculture worldwide. Created by Nestle, Unilever and Danone in 2002, the SAI Platform is a non-profit organization to facilitate sharing, at precompetitive level, of knowledge and initiatives to support the development and implementation of sustainable agriculture practices involving the different stakeholders of the food chain.
Source: SAI Platform Australia (2019)
This company is a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex), a not-for-profit, membership organisation that leads work with buyers and suppliers to deliver improvements in responsible and ethical business practices in global supply chains. Tens of thousands of companies use Sedex to manage their performance around labour rights, health & safety, the environment and business ethics.
Source: Sedex (2018)
Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.
Source: company website (2020)
The Apparel and Footwear Supply Chain Transparency Pledge (Transparency Pledge) helps demonstrate apparel and footwear companies' commitment towards greater transparency in their manufacturing supply chain. Transparency of a company's manufacturing supply chain better enables a company to collaborate with civil society in identifying, assessing, and avoiding actual or potential adverse human rights impacts. This is a critical step that strengthens a company's human rights due diligence. This company has published limited supplier factory information, and falls well short of the Pledge standard.
Source: Transparency Pledge (2019) |
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| Coles Group Ltd | ||||
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The 2020 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 (2020) |
The 2019 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 200 of the largest publicly traded companies in the world from the Agricultural Products, Apparel, Extractives and ICT Manufacturing sectors on 100 human rights indicators. This company's score was in the 20-30 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
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 ColesÂ’ 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)
This company is 10% owned by Wesfarmers, which has criticisms in the Shop Ethical database.
Source: Shop Ethical (2019) |
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)
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)
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)
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 55/100 in the Food & Staples Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 7 Feb 2021). 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 (2021) |
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Company Details
| Type | Wholly-owned subsidiary |
| Revenue | 5.6 billion AUD (2014) |
Contact Details
| Address | 800 Toorak Rd, Glen Iris, VIC, 3146, Australia |
| Freecall | 1800 656 055 |
| Website | www.colesexpress.com.au |
Products / Brands
Coles Express|
Coles Express Fuel & Convenience Stores |