Anticompetitive behavior

On 31 May 2005, Coles subsidiary Liquorland admitted that it had entered into illegal agreements with five applicants for liquor licences. Liquorland was subsequently penalised $4.75 million by Justice Gyles of the Federal Court for these contraventions. [listed under Information due to age of court findings]

Source: ACCC (2005)

DrinkWise contributor

This company makes voluntary contributions to DrinkWise Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 by the alcohol industry, whose stated goal is to help bring about a healthier and safer drinking culture in Australia.

Source: DrinkWise (2024)

ABAC signatory

This company has signed the ABAC Responsible Alcohol Marketing Code, which is designed to regulate alcohol advertising and marketing within Australia.

Source: ABAC (2021)

Palm oil scorecard - WWF

The 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard evaluates the progress and performance of 285 major retailers and manufacturer companies, focusing on actions companies have taken to ensure their own palm oil supply chain is sustainable and free of deforestation, natural ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuse. This company failed to respond to WWF's requests for information.

Source: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard (2024)

2010 CHOICE Shonky Award

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)

Tobacco - indirect

Involved in sale of tobacco-related products as a non-core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Sweatshops in Bangladesh

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 $170k for unsafe workplace

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)

Fined $61k for misleading labelling

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)

Worker abuse in Bangladesh

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)

Fined $2.5m for misleading conduct

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)

Breaching advertising codes

This company has been criticised for misleading advertising. Ad Standards upheld complaints about ads by this company in 2014, 2020 and 2022 on the grounds that they breached advertising codes. The ads were subsequently discontinued or modified. Follow link for details.

Source: Ad Standards (2022)

2017 CHOICE Shonky Award

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)

Irresponsible marketing

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)

2023 CHOICE Shonky Award

Named and shamed in the 2023 CHOICE Shonky Awards for "cashing in during a cost-of-living crisis". Coles posted a $1.1 billion profit in a year when Australians are facing soaring cost of living pressures.

Source: Choice (2023)

Misleading advertising

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)

Fined $10m for unconscionable conduct

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)

Underpaying workers

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)

Microbeads phase out

In 2016 Coles committed to banning all products containing microbeads from their shelves by the end of 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: ABC News (2016)

Organic products

This company manufactures or distributes products that are certified organic under the Australian Certified Organic label.

Source: ACO (2022)

Palm oil free products

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)

MSC certified products

This company sells products which are certified by the Marine Stewardship Council.

Source: MSC (2024)

Rainforest Alliance certified products

This company sells Rainforest Alliance certified tea. However this only represents a fraction of this company's total tea sales. Rainforest Alliance certification has been dubbed 'Fairtrade light' by critics, as it offers producers no minimum price for their crop, and guarantees a minimum of just 30% of the product is certified.

Source: Rainforest Alliance (2022)

Fairtrade products

This company sells Fairtrade Certified coffee, however this only represents a fraction of their total coffee sales.

Source: Fairtrade ANZ (2023)

Green rating in Canned Tuna Guide

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." [Listed under Information due to age of report]

Source: Canned Tuna Guide (2017)

Cage-free eggs commitment

This company is listed on the RSPCA Australia website as 'cage-free and proud', signifying a commitment to source 100% cage-free eggs by 2025. 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 (2024)

Good Egg Award 2013

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)

RSPCA Approved

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 (2023)

Use of non-mulesed wool

Brands owned by this company are listed in Human Society International Australia's Better Wool Guide as having a commitment to phasing out mulesed wool but with no timeline or certification scheme specified. Mulesing is the controversial practice of removing strips of the skin of a lamb's rear and is often done without pain relief. In Australia, the only country where mulesing still occurs, an estimated 10 million merino lambs are subjected to mulesing each year - equivalent to 19 lambs per minute.

Source: HSI Australia (2024)

Sustainability claims

This company has sustainability claims on its website. "Coles is committed to acting on the issues that matter most to our stakeholders such as climate change, packaging and waste, single-use plastics, animal welfare, health and nutrition and farming and supplier partnerships."

Source: company website (2023)

Supplier factory disclosure

In 2016 Coles was praised by Oxfam Australia for publishing their overseas supplier factory names and addresses in China, India, Cambodia and Vietnam. This is a crucial step on a journey towards better conditions for workers, Oxfam Australia said.

Source: Oxfam (2016)

Food and Grocery Code of Conduct signatory

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)

Bonsucro member

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 (2023)

Alcohol - direct involvement

Directly involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of alcohol as a core business.

Source: company website (2020)

Transparency Pledge

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)

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).

Source: Democracy For Sale (2018)

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)

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.

Source: KnowTheChain (2023)

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.

Source: S&P Global (2023)

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.

Source: World Benchmarking Alliance (2023)