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Wesfarmers

OVERALL

Owned
AUS
Rating
Praises, some criticism

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.

Wesfarmers Ltd   AUS     website   email      twitter

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Wesfarmers Ltd
Environment Australian Packaging Covenant signatory
Signatory to the Australian Packaging Covenant, a voluntary agreement to encourage waste minimisation.
Source: Australian Packaging Covenant (2020)
Environment CDP Climate Change Score of B
In 2018, the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) asked companies to provide data about their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risk. Responding companies are scored across four key areas: disclosure; awareness; management; and leadership. This company received a CDP Climate Change Score of B.
Source: CDP (2018)
Social Efforts to pay a living wage
Oxfam Australia's Company Tracker compares the big clothing brands on their efforts to pay a living wage to the women working in their factories. This company has released the names and addresses of at least 70% of their supplier factories, and has taken some action towards paying a living wage within a set timeframe in the supply chain.
Source: Oxfam Australia (2019)
Social Human Rights Benchmark
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 40-50 band range. The overall average score was a disappointing 24%.
Source: CHRB (2019)
Business Ethics 69/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 69/100 in the Retailing category of the 2019 SAM Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices. 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 (2019)
Social Cotton sourcing (Rank a Brand)
In 2016 Rank a Brand assessed 37 major cotton-using companies on their commitment and performance with regard to sustainable cotton by looking at each company's cotton sourcing policies, use of sustainable cotton, and traceability. This company scored 0.5/19.5, making it one of the weakest performing companies.
Source: Rank a Brand (2016)
Business Ethics 35.3% in Newsweek Green Ranking 2017
This company received a score of 35.3/100 in the Newsweek Green Ranking 2017, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2017)
Social Supply chain sourcing
This 2013 report by The Australian Council of Superannuation Investors (ACSI) investigates the labour and human rights risks in supply chain sourcing. This company is identified on page 21 as a company which sources products from countries with known systemic labour and human rights concerns.
Source: ACSI (2013)
Business Ethics Political donations
According to the democracyforsale.net website, this company donated $638,000 to Australia's major political parties between 2012 and 2018, as disclosed to the Australian Electoral Commision (AEC).
Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)
Environment Climate action commitments
As listed on the We Mean Business website, this company has committed to the following climate action initiatives: put a price on carbon; responsible corporate engagement in climate policy; report climate change information in mainstream reports as a fiduciary duty.
Source: We Mean Business (2017)
Business Ethics Tax paying in Australia
Between 2015 and 2018 this company paid $3 billion tax on a total income of $199 billion, earning the number 8 spot on Michael West's Top 40 Tax Payers 2020. West calculated which of Australia's largest companies have paid the most tax using three years of tax transparency data published by the Australian Tax Office.
Source: Michael West (2018)
Business Ethics Sustainability claims
This company has sustainability claims on its website in the areas of sourcing, community, environment and indigenous engagement.
Source: company website (2019)
Social 43/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2018 KnowTheChain benchmarked 120 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 43/100.
Source: KnowTheChain (2018)
Social Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: Modern Slavery Registry (2017)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue $67.2 billion in 2018
Employees 217,000 in 2018
Aus Manufacturing Yes
Subsidiaries Coles Group Ltd (10% owned) 

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.


  - 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.


Bunnings Group Ltd  

Hardware retail

Australia's largest hardware retailer. Bunnings operate 211 Bunnings Warehouse stores and 63 smaller format Bunnings stores across Australia and New Zealand.


Gresham Partners Ltd (50% owned) 

Investment and advisory house

Gresham focuses on four key business areas: Corporate Advisory, Private Equity, Property and Asset Finance. 50% owned by Wesfarmers. Its private equity division specialises in mid-market leveraged buy-outs in Aust and NZ. Acquisitions include Witchery Fashions.


Target Australia Pty Ltd 

Department stores

Part of Wesfarmers since Nov 2007. There are 289 Target and Target Country stores around Australia. No affiliation with Target Corporation (USA).


Kmart Australia Pty Ltd 

Department stores

Previously part of the Coles Group, which was bought by Wesfarmers in 2007. When Wesfarmers divested Coles Supermarkets in 2018, it kept Kmart. Kmart operates 228 stores throughout Australia and New Zealand.


Workwear Group 

Workwear

This former division of Pacific Brands was established in 2010 after acquiring King Gee and Stubbies in 2001, and Hard Yakka, Stylecorp and NNT in 2007. Sold to Wesfarmers in August 2014. Manufacturing occurs in Australia, China, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Fiji.


Officeworks Ltd 

Office supplies retailer

Established by Coles Myer in 1994. Today they operate over 150 stores across Australia, and is part of Wesfarmers' Home Improvement and Office Supplies division.


Catch Group Pty Ltd 

eCommerce

Operates online shopping websites Catch and Scoopon, as well as Mumgo and Grocery Run. Acquired by Wesfarmers for $230 million in 2019.

Contact Details

Address Level 14, Brookfield Place, Tower 2, 123 St Georges Terrace, Perth, WA, 6000, Australia
Phone 08 9327 4211
Fax 08 9327 4216
Email info@wesfarmers.com.au
Website www.wesfarmers.com.au

Products / Brands

Coles Supermarkets
1st Choice Liquor Stores
Assure Feminine Hygiene
Coles House Brands
Coles Supermarkets
Coles 100% recycled certified FSC Recycled certified FSC Recycled  Toilet Paper
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
Farmers Fund Milk
Hammer 'N' Tongs Beer
Herb & Sons Vegetarian & Vegan
Ion Laundry Detergent
KOi Bodywash/Shower Gel
KOi Soap
KOi Hand Wash/Sanitiser
KOi Skin Care
Liquorland Liquor Stores
Maxx Beer
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
Steamrail Beer
Vintage Cellars Liquor Stores
Wellness Road Health Foods
Wild Tides Canned Fish (Tuna)
Woofin' Good Dog Food
Woofin' Good Dog Treats

Bunnings
Bunnings Hardware Stores
Moretti Heating & Cooling

Target Australia
Belle Curve Womens Plus Size
Target Electronics Stores
Target Department Stores
Target Toy Stores
Target Everyday Apparel
Target Homewares Stores

Kmart Australia
Kmart Electronics Stores
Kmart Department Stores
Kmart Toy Stores
Kmart Everyday Apparel
Kmart Homewares Stores

Workwear Group
Hard Yakka Workwear
Hard Yakka Work Boots
King Gee Workwear
King Gee Underwear/Socks/Sleepwear
King Gee Underwear & Socks
King Gee Work Boots
NNT Uniforms Workwear
Stubbies Workwear

Officeworks
Officeworks Electronics Stores
PPS Envelopes

Catch Group
Catch E-commerce
Scoopon E-commerce


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