Markets/Australasia/News

Australasia news & analysis

19 April 2023
Viva Energy is looking to acquire OTR, an operator of convenience stores primarily in South Australia, in its bid to become Australia’s leading convenience retailer. This comes after acquiring Coles Express for AUD300m (US$201m) in September 2022.  A significant investment The deal for South Australian convenience retail business OTR is worth AUD1.15 bn (US$769.5m). OTR operates a retai...
30 March 2023
We round up the latest news in Australia from key retailers Woolworths, Coles and Metcash. 1. Metcash appoints Grant Ramage as CEO of Food pillar Grant Ramage is the executive general manager Merchandise in the Food pillar for four years. Prior to this, Ramage was State GM, Supermarkets, Western Australia after joining Metcash in 2015. As a State GM Ramage had delivered “significant and su...
29 March 2023
As we launch our first report for 2023 on global responses to the cost-of-living crisis, we highlight our favourite retailer examples from Q1. Global responses to the cost-of-living crisis: Q1 2023 Our report showcases how retailers have responded to the cost-of-living crisis, focusing on six categories: Price: low and trusted prices on everyday products Promotions: promotion...
22 February 2023
A strong Christmas season, focus on shopper experience and restoration to normal trading rhythm helped drive Woolworths Group F23 H1 sales by 4.0% to AUD33,169m (US$22,664m). EBIT grew 18.4% due to reduction of COVID-related costs in the prior year. Australian Food: H1 total sales up 2.5% Woolworths Food Retail (which consists of stores and ecom) sales increased by 2.4% to AUD24,196m (US$16...
14 February 2023
Retail sales for the first half were AUD5.4bn (US$3.8bn), down 3.7% on H1 F22, as the retailer is cycling elevated sales from the pandemic. Improving momentum through Christmas Endeavour Group operates Australia’s largest alcohol retail network, across Dan Murphy’s and BWS. The retailer delivered the biggest Christmas week on record at Dan Murphy’s, supported by a positive mix shift as tren...
08 February 2023
Woolworths and Coles have received a draft notice to deal with over 5,200 tonnes of soft plastic.  REDcycle soft plastics collection problem The two supermarkets had been taking part in the REDcycle soft plastics collection programme which encouraged shoppers to dispose of soft plastics including biscuit wrappers, bread bags, pet food pouches to recycle facilities in the stores. However, th...
02 February 2023
Suppliers continue to face pressure from governments to reach new environmental standards, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees and helping retailers to achieve their environmental objectives. Danone announced it plans to reduce methane emissions, as Nestlé and Mars Wrigley Australia introduce paper packaging to increase recyclability. Danone pledges to reduce methane emissions Danone ann...
01 February 2023
Metcash has announced Scott Marshall, CEO of its food business, will be leaving the company after 30 years of service. Strong management team in place Marshall will be pursuing another career opportunity. Marshall was CEO of the food pillar for the past five years, and CEO of the liquor pillar. He will assist with a smooth transition while the search for a successor  takes place. It is exp...
26 January 2023
MyDeal marketplace, acquired by Woolworths Group six months ago, has been integrated into Woolworth’s loyalty scheme. Getting more for loyalty Everyday Rewards has over 13m Australian shoppers using the free card to access the loyalty programme. They earn one point per AU$1 spent at a variety of retailers. At Woolworths and BIG W, Every Rewards members enjoy a AU$10 (US$7.20) discount on a ...
20 January 2023
Woolworths has decided to close 250 of its 300 in-store butchers. Move to more convenient options Butchers account for just 4% of meat sales as shoppers prefer more convenient pre-packed options. The majority of stores will soon only offer pre-packaged meat products, following a deline in demand for in-store butchers. In the stores where both butchers and pre-packaged meat options are avail...