Coles and Woolworths now control approx 40% of retail spending in Australia

billeeeeeee · Guru

Coles and Woolworths now control approx 40% of retail spending in Australia

petengail · Guru

http://www.news.com.au/money/money-matters/coles-and-woolworths-receive-almost-40-per-cent-of-australian-retail-spending/story-e6frfmd9-1226043866311

no wonder the corner store dissapeared.

gst · Senior Member

The only good things is both are Australian owned and employ up to 500,000 so if we open up to over seas company all monies go over seas

jimricho · Guru

The corner store as we knew it was doomed anyway. The economies of scale would ensure that, even if the retail spend were diversified over a larger range retailers.

Wesfarmers, (owner of Coles) is, I think, the largest non-government employer in Australia. Both Woolworths and Wesfarmers are Australian owned publicly listed companies and both have very significant numbers of small retail investors. To the best of my knowledge there is no significant foreign investment in either company.

Metcash, supplier to IGA and other independents is also Australian owned. Aldi is German owned. A new entrant into retailing in Australia is Costco which is American owned.

(Disclosure: I have a very modest holding of Wesfarmers shares)

milo · Guru

apart from a few little things I get for dad at alidi's id rather go to wollies etc

Gerty Dancer · Guru

I hope the independant supermarkets maintain their presence, I prefer to shop at those.
Recently a particular item was not available at my regular supermarket, and I had a chat to the manager, who said "Its unavailable due to Woolies having it on special and the producers couldnt supply other retailers." I might add that the price Woolies was selling it on special was the same everyday price at my normal supermarket!

barina · Guru

The big 2 are lucky to get $10 a week from me and I never buy their petrol. I shop fresh fruit & vegie shop, and deli and often discount shop for other things, butchers for meat and fish shop for fresh fish.....and smaller local supermarkets

Sheba · Guru

I like a particular flavour of a brand of Coffee. My regular supermarket has not been able to access that particular flavour [they can get every other flavour] for at least 3 or 4 years now. Woolworths regularly puts it on special at a very reduced price, every month or so. I don't think this is right, or fair.

Cheers,

Sheba.

johnq · Guru

Wesfarmers insure my 4X4. Cheap. Recently some young adult thugs tried to break into it. The insurer was quick and civil to deal with. So I am not complaining about Westfarmers.

I occasionally get International Roast coffee in the big tins for $7 from Coles. Like finding treasure when it happens ;) Years ago I could never have imagined I would find such mundane delights.

milo · Guru

wollies keep says down down prices are down, thats bs
cause some things i buy on a regular basis have actually gone up the last
few weeks.. pain in the a....

Sheba · Guru

rockylizard wrote:
Sheba wrote:
I like a particular flavour of a brand of Coffee. My regular supermarket has not been able to access that particular flavour [they can get every other flavour] for at least 3 or 4 years now. Woolworths regularly puts it on special at a very reduced price, every month or so. I don't think this is right, or fair.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Gday...
Understand the angst Sheba .... but I gotta admit - it sure tastes good
cheers - John

I should be able to buy it at my local IGA, with my other groceries though John. I have to drive 30 odd K's, [ over 60 K's round trip], just to buy the Coffee I like.

Cheers,

Sheba.

-- Edited by Sheba on Tuesday 13th of November 2012 12:03:19 AM

rockylizard · Guru

Sheba wrote:
I like a particular flavour of a brand of Coffee. My regular supermarket has not been able to access that particular flavour [they can get every other flavour] for at least 3 or 4 years now. Woolworths regularly puts it on special at a very reduced price, every month or so. I don't think this is right, or fair.
Cheers,
Sheba.

Gday...

Understand the angst Sheba .... but I gotta admit - it sure tastes good biggrin

cheers - John

aussietraveller · Guru

Woolworths and Coles also control the fuel supply and look what has happened to fuel prices, if you watch closely the price goes up 20 cents just prior to a special 15 cent discount which involves you spending more to get a voucher.

I accept that they are very large employers and they are also nthe largest operator of poker machines and alcohol outlets.
Give me the smaller independent every time IGA is looking good for my money.

Wizardofoz · Guru

Well don't keep us in suspense Sheba, what brand is it?

I drink Vittoria mountain grown beans (black label).

Sheba · Guru

Wizardofoz wrote:
Well don't keep us in suspense Sheba, what brand is it?
Sorry Wizardofoz. Wasn't sure if that was allowed. I fell in love with the Jarrah Bavarian Bliss. Hazelnut Flavour.
Probably not what most of you call Coffee, but I like it.

Cheers,

Sheba.

aussietraveller · Guru

Don't know if its comparable but my wife loves the Nescafe Hazelnut one and you can always get that at IGA.

Sheba · Guru

Have tried all the others Aussietraveller, but prefer the Jarrah. Thanks.

Cheers,

Sheba.

gold dandelion · Senior Member

IGA, owned by Metcash is actually not Australian owned but the franchisees are all locally owned which is good, as with all the Mitre 10 stores, owned independantly which is good but owned by Metcash as well. their motto this year is, Independance is worth fighting for.