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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
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: World Benchmarking Alliance (2019)
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, has taken some action towards paying a living wage within a set timeframe in the supply chain, and has made a commitment to ringfence wages.
Source: Oxfam Australia (2021)
Social Modern Slavery disclosure quality
Modern slavery disclosure is a critical step in mitigating the risk associated with modern slavery practices in companies' operations and supply chains. The quality of the disclosure signals the level of commitments and efforts that the companies have put in managing these risks. In 2021 the Monash Centre for Financial Studies analysed and ranked the disclosure quality of the modern slavery statements submitted by the 300 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX300). This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a grade of A.
Source: Monash University (2021)
Business Ethics 62/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 62/100 in the Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 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)
Business Ethics Underpaying workers
In 2023 seven subsidiaries of Wesfarmers Industrial and Safety Pty Ltd (WIS) back-paid more than $4.8 million to more than 3,400 underpaid employees nationally and signed an Enforceable Undertaking (EU) with the Fair Work Ombudsman. The company was also ordered to make a $100,000 contrition payment.
Source: Fair Work Ombudsman (2023)
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)
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)
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 (2021)
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)
Environment Previous involvement with coal
This company used to operate coal mines, but sold off its last coal asset in 2018.
Source: Reuters (2022)
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: company website (2021)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue 67.2 billion AUD (2018)
Employees 217,000 (2018)
Aus Manufacturing Yes
Subsidiaries Officeworks Ltd 

Office supplies retailer

Established by Coles Myer in 1994. Today they operate over 160 stores across Australia, and is part of Wesfarmers' Home Improvement and Office Supplies division.


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).


Australian Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd 

Healthcare services

API has four core business operations - pharmaceutical distribution, manufacturing, retail pharmacy brands and hospital and medical distribution. API was established as a chemists' co-operative in 1910 and listed on the ASX on 16 June 1997. The API retail pharmacy banner groups are Priceline, Soul Pattinson, and Pharmacist Advice. Almost 90 per cent of the 1579 pharmacies, health and beauty stores and beauty salons supplied by API are owned and operated by franchisees. Acquired by Wesfarmers in 2022.


  - API Consumer Brands 

Healthcare, pharmaceuticals & skin care

New Zealand based manufacturer of health & beauty products. Owned by Australian-based pharmaceutical company, API, owner of Priceline.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.

Contact Details

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

Products / Brands

Officeworks
Officeworks Electronics Stores
Officeworks Stationery Stores
PPS Envelopes

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

API Consumer Brands
Health Basics Body Wash
Only Good Body Wash
Only Good Hand Wash/Sanitiser

Catch Group
Catch E-commerce
Scoopon E-commerce

Bunnings
Bunnings Hardware Stores
Click Heating & Cooling

Kmart Australia
Anko Everyday Apparel
Anko Small Kitchen Appliances
Anko Dishwashers
Anko Washing Machines & Dryers
Anko Fridges & Freezers
Anko Irons
K hub Department Stores
Kmart Electronics Stores
Kmart Department Stores
Kmart Toy Stores
Kmart Homewares Stores

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

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


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