Retailing
Coles was founded in 1914, publicly listed in 1929, merged with Myer in 1986, spun-off Myer in 2006, bought by Wesfarmers in 2007, and spun-off from Wesfarmers in 2018. Wesfarmers kept Officeworks, Kmart and Target, which were part of Coles Group when it was acquired by Wesfarmers for $20 billion. The new Coles group operates over 2,500 retail outlets around Australia across both supermarkets and liquor stores.
Company Assessment
(Last updated Feb 2026)
Praise
Criticism
Information
Coles Group Ltd
Praise
Criticism
Information
81% in Human Rights Benchmark
The 2026 Corporate Human Rights Benchmark assessed 105 companies across five high-risk sectors on their human rights performance. Companies are assessed on their human rights commitments, due-diligence processes, and implementation efforts. This company received a score of 81/100. The average score was 53.7 and the highest score was 94.4.
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 2024 the Monash Centre for Financial Studies analysed and ranked the disclosure quality of the modern slavery statements submitted by the 100 largest listed companies on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX100). This company's modern slavery disclosure statement received a grade of A.
Source: Monash University
(2024)
61.1% in Social Benchmark
The 2026 Social Benchmark assessed the world's 2,000 most influential companies on their responsibility in meeting society's fundamental expectations towards three measurement areas: respecting human rights, providing decent work, and acting ethically. This company received a score of 61.1/100. The average score was 20 and the highest score was 75.
55/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2026 KnowTheChain benchmarked 45 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 55/100. The average score was a disappointing 15 and the highest score was 56.
Source: KnowTheChain
(2026)
29.5% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies and annually assesses the 500 companies and 150 financial institutions most exposed to deforestation risk in their supply chains and investments on the strength and implementation of their commitments on deforestation and human rights. This company received a score of 29.5%.
Source: Forest 500
(2024)
Tier 5 in farm animal welfare rankings
The Business Benchmark on Farm Animal Welfare (BBFAW) 2023 Report ranks global food companies on their farm animal welfare policies, practices and performance. This company appeared in tier 5, "On the business agenda but limited evidence of implementation", with tier 1 being the best, and tier 6 the worst.
Source: BBFAW
(2023)
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 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)
Political donations
The democracyforsale.net website, which aggregates data from the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), reports that this company donated $587,465 to Australia's major political parties between 2018 and 2023. To view this company's entry in the AEC's Transparency Register, follow the link and click on "Named on the following annual returns as providing funds to:" to see the political donations made by the company.
Source: AEC
(2024)
Employer of Choice for Gender Equality
This company is listed by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) as a Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation holder. The citation is designed to encourage, recognise and promote active commitment to achieving gender equality in Australian workplaces.
Source: WGEA
(2025)
Sustainability claims
This company has extensive sustainability claims on its website in areas that include responsible sourcing, animal welfare, supporting Australian farmers, human rights, community support, sustainable packaging, minimising food waste and climate change.
Source: company website
(2023)
35% in Gender Benchmark
In 2023 and 2024, the World Benchmarking Alliance assessed 2,000 companies on their efforts to drive gender equality and women's empowerment across their entire value chain. Companies are assessed on governance and strategy, representation, compensation and benefits, health and well-being, and violence and harassment. This company scored 35 out of 100. The average score was 15.3 and the highest score was 51.
Medium ESG Risk
Sustainalytics, a top ESG research firm, evaluates environmental, social, and governance risks for over 16,000 companies. Its ESG Risk Rating reflects how much risk a company faces in its industry and how well it manages those risks. The final score includes both unmanaged and unmanageable risks, and companies are rated on a scale from negligible (0-10) to severe (40+). This company received an ESG Risk Rating of 20.6, placing it in the "medium risk" category (retrieved April 2025).
Source: Sustainalytics
(2025)
28.5% in Nature Benchmark
The 2026 Nature Benchmark assessed 750 companies from high-impact industries on their efforts to advance a nature-positive future by cutting damaging practices across their operations and supply chains, and by actively restoring and improving ecosystems. Companies are assessed across four measurement areas: Governance, Planet, People and Core social indicators. This company received a score of 28.5/100. The average score was 17.3 and the highest score was 56.4.
31.7/100 in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2026 Food and Agriculture Benchmark assessed 350 companies from the food and agriculture value chain on their contributions to healthy, sustainable, and inclusive food systems. Companies are assessed across four measurement areas: Healthy food systems, Sustainable food systems, Inclusive food systems and Governance. This company received a score of 31.7/100. The average score was 15.5 and the highest score was 61.2.
Company Details
Type:
Public company
Founded:
1914
Revenue:
38.5 billion
(2019)
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 800 supermarkets and 900 liquor stores. Coles exited the hotels and poker machine business in 2019, but still operates bottle shops. Coles sold its Coles Express convenience store network to Viva Energy in 2023, which is being rebranded to OTR.
Liquorland (Australia) Pty Ltd
Alcohol retail
Coles operates over 900 bottle shops under the banners 1st Choice, Liquorland and Vintage Cellars. In 2025 Coles announced it will discontinue its Vintage Cellars and First Choice brands, and rebrand them to Liquorland. 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:
Products / Brands
Coles Supermarkets
Assure
Incontinence Needs
Assure
Feminine Hygiene
Coles
Supermarkets
Coles
Cheese
Coles
House Brands
Coles 100% recycled
Toilet Paper
★ certified FSC Recycled
Coles Joyful
Health Bars
Coles Joyful
Muesli Bars
Coles So Soft
Toilet Paper
Coles Ultra
Laundry Detergent
Coles Ultra
Toilet Cleaners
Coles Ultra
Window & Glass Cleaners
Coles Ultra
Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Coles Ultra
Stain Removal & Prewash
Coles Ultra
Dishwashing Detergent
Coles Ultra
Floor Cleaners
CUB
Nappies
CUB
Baby Wipes
CUB
Baby Food
★ certified organic
CUB
Baby Toiletries
CUB
Baby Formula
★ certified organic
CUB
Baby Accessories
Cucina Matese
Pasta
Elevate
Dog Food
Elevate
Cat Food
Herb & Sons
Vegetarian & Vegan
KOi
Body Wash
KOi
Soap
KOi
Skin Care
Mix
Hosiery
Mix
Childrenswear
Mix
Babywear
Nature's Kitchen
Vegetarian & Vegan
NRG
Batteries
Outdoor Life
Garden Care
Purr
Cat Food
Wellness Road
Health Foods
Wellness Road
Muesli & Oats
Wild Tides
Canned Fish (Tuna)
Woofin' Good
Pet Food (chilled)
Woofin' Good
Dog Food
Woofin' Good
Dog Treats
Zena
Shampoo
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
Smithy's
Beer
Somma
Seltzer
Steamrail
Beer
Tinnies
Beer
Vintage Cellars
Liquor Stores
Volsk
Vodka
Pure Origin
Vodka