Coles Group
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.

Overall

Owned AUS
Rating C
About the Ratings
Coles Group Ltd
AUS

Company Assessment

(Last updated Aug 2024)
Coles Group Ltd
Praise
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%.
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%.
40% in Gender Benchmark
The 2023 Gender Benchmark ranks 112 companies from the apparel and food and agriculture sectors 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, violence and harassment, and marketplace and community. This company ranked #11/112, with a total score of 40%. The average score was 23% and the highest score was 55%.
13/20 in Social Benchmark
The 2024 Social Benchmark assesses 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 was assessed in 2023 and received a score of 13/20. The average score was an alarmingly low 4.6/20 and the highest score was 15.5/20.
42.6% in Food and Agriculture Benchmark
The 2023 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 #17/350, with a total score of 42.6/100.
Criticism
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)
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.
Information
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).
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.
46/100 in KnowTheChain Benchmark
In 2023 KnowTheChain benchmarked 60 food and beverage companies on their efforts to identify and tackle forced labour risks in their supply chains. This company received a score of 46/100. The average score was a disappointing 16/100 and the highest score was 56/100.
50/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 50/100 in the Food & Staples Retailing category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 27 OctNov 2023). 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.
28% in Nature Benchmark
The Nature Benchmark ranks 816 companies across 20 industries on their efforts to protect our environment and its biodiversity. Companies were assessed in three phases between 2022 and 2024 using three measurement areas: governance and strategy; social inclusion and community impact; and ecosystems and biodiversity. This company was assessed in 2023 and is ranked #104/816, with a total score of 28/100.
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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. 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 Incontinence Needs
Assure Feminine Hygiene
BOM Breakfast On the Go
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 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
Ion Laundry Detergent
KOi Body Wash
KOi Soap
KOi Hand Wash/Sanitiser
KOi Skin Care
Mix Hosiery
Mix Underwear & Socks
Mix Childrenswear
Mix Menswear (casual)
Mix Womens Fashion
Mix Babywear
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 Pet Food (chilled)
Woofin' Good Dog Food
Woofin' Good Dog Treats
Zena Shampoo
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
Smithy's Beer
Somma Seltzer
Steamrail Beer
Tinnies Beer
Vintage Cellars Liquor Stores
Volsk Vodka
Coles Liquor / White Label Distillery (Distiller)
Pure Origin Vodka