Coles

Simplot-Coles deal boost for Australian veg producers

24 Oct 2016

Farmers in three Australian states are set to grow "millions of extra vegetables" to meet increased demand under a new supply agreement between the country's second largest grocer, Coles, and US-based agri-food business Simplot.

Australia at forefront of low-FODMAP development - analysis

11 Oct 2016

It was a university in Australia that developed the low-FODMAP diet just over a decade ago and it is that country that is in the vanguard of markets where the diet is taking off and where foods are being specifically launched to fit the regime. Simon Creasey analyses the development of the market for low-FODMAP foods in Australia and weighs up the prospects for the products.

Coles, Murray Goulburn launch Farmers' Fund milk

8 Sep 2016

A new brand of Australian milk that guarantees a fixed-price contribution from every bottle sold is paid into the Victorian Farmers Federation's (VFF) new Farmers' Fund goes on sale at Coles supermarkets in the state this week.

Tyrrells establishes local production to serve Australia, Asia

8 Jul 2016

UK snack group Tyrrells wants to grow its business in Australia and Asia and is investing in ramping up production at its Yarra Valley Snack Foods unit. 

Amazon analysed, Woolworths rejigs own label in Australia, Metro Group demerges - retail round-up, March 2016

6 Apr 2016

March was a month in which Tesco and Woolworths announced notable moves on private label, in part, analysts said, driven by the rise of discount retail in the UK and Australia. The sector also saw Metro Group set out plans to split in two and heard Amazon touted as a significant player in US food and beverage by the turn of the next decade.

Talking shop June 2015 – Disruptive discounters dominate retail news

30 Jun 2015

The disruptive impact of the discount retailers has dominated global retail headlines during June, as our take of this month's key developments among grocery retailers shows.

Analysis: Australia moves a step closer to protecting suppliers

11 Mar 2015

Australia is set to see the introduction of a code overseeing relations between suppliers and retailers. Will the country be a fairer place for manufacturers to do business? Ben Cooper reports.

Simplot launches John West ancient grain tuna meals

4 Mar 2015

Simplot-owned tuna brand John West is launching a new range of ready to eat tuna meals, Tuna Brown Rice & Quinoa, in Australia.

Australia to introduce grocery code

3 Mar 2015

The Australian federal government has created a food and grocery code of conduct that, it said, will help ensure "fair and transparent" dealings between the country's largest supermarkets and their suppliers.

Metcash accused of supplier bullying

6 Feb 2015

Legal action has been launched against Metcash, Australia's third-largest grocery retailer, over supplier claims of "unconscionable conduct".

Food industry news of the week: Bumble Bee, ConAgra, Kraft

22 Dec 2014

Days before Christmas came one of the more notable deals of recent months with Thai seafood giant Thai Union Frozen swooping for US group Bumble Bee Foods. In the US, ConAgra Foods wrote down the value of its own-label arm and Kraft Foods Group announced a new CEO. Elsewhere, Australian retailer Coles admitted payments it demanded from suppliers broke competition law and we interviewed the CEO of Groupe Doux, the French poultry group getting itself back on a firmer footing a year after emerging from administration.

Coles admits supplier payments broke competition law

15 Dec 2014

Coles has agreed to accept payments demanded from suppliers in 2011 constituted "unconscionable conduct" and said it will take part in an independent review to assess supplier refunds.

Simplot launches tuna pasta salad

20 Oct 2014

Simplot is expanding the John West tuna brand in Australia with the launch of a tuna pasta salad range.

Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

20 Oct 2014

Last week, Chiquita Brands International received an increased takeover bid from Brazilian suitors Cutrale Group and Safra Group - but it was still not enough to win over the US produce giant.

Coles faces court over "unconscionable" treatment of suppliers

17 Oct 2014

Australia's second largest supermarket chain, Coles, is being taken to court by the country's competition watchdog, which alleges Coles' treatment of suppliers represents "unconscionable conduct in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law".

SPC Ardmona to launch stevia-sweetened jam

15 Oct 2014

Australian food group SPC Ardmona has developed a line of jams that include the natural sweetener stevia.

Analysis: URC's two-pronged strategy for NZ snacks firm Griffin's

5 Aug 2014

Universal Robina Corp. appears to have two main areas of focus for Griffin's Foods - launching the New Zealand snacks maker's products in south-east Asia and using the business's presence in Australia to enter that country's own-label business. Dean Best looks at the Philippines-based group's plans.

Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

7 Jul 2014

This week, Treehouse Foods announced a deal to buy US private-label peer Flagstone Foods. In other M&A news in the US, Tyson Foods and Hillshire Brands finalised an agreement over a takeover of the Jimmy Dean meats manufacturer. Chinese firm Huaxia Dairy and ethnic foods supplier Shazans both announced expansion following investments in the companies. Elsewhere, Burton's Biscuit Co. was in hot water with union officials after announcing 64 jobs were to go at its Edinburgh site.

AUSTRALIA: Coles on defensive over supplier relationships

3 Jul 2014

Coles has dismissed claims it abused its relationship with suppliers through a programme requiring the payment of rebates - although the Australian retailer has made a number of "admissions" over its treatment of manufacturers.

AUS: Symington's launches pasta bake sauce range

18 Jun 2014

Symington's has expanded the Five Brothers range of pasta sauces in Australia with the launch of three Pasta Bake sauces.

AUSTRALIA: Saucy Fish Co to make Australia debut

12 Jun 2014

UK based ready-to-cook fish firm The Saucy Fish Co has announced its expansion into Australia.

FREE FROM FOOD EXPO: Moo Free aims to "dominate" dairy-free chocolate market

11 Jun 2014

Ambitious dairy-free chocolate maker Moo Free aims to "dominate" the world market for dairy-free milk chocolate by expanding in new markets and increasing its exposure to the supermarket channel.

AUSTRALIA: Simplot launches Lean Cuisine Soups range

3 Jun 2014

Simplot has launched a new range of soups under the Lean Cuisine banner in Australia.

AUS: Coles sales slow in Q3

29 Apr 2014

Wesfarmers booked a near-4% rise in third-quarter sales at its Coles supermarket business but shares slipped as revenue growth slowed in the period.

AUS: Woolworths CFO Pockett to step down

26 Nov 2013

Woolworths Ltd CFO Tom Pockett is to step down as the Australian grocer's CFO in February.

AUS: Simplot keeps veg plants - but issues warning

24 Oct 2013

US food group Simplot has decided to hang on to two plants in Australia it had said could close but warned costs would have to fall to keep them open in three years' time.

AUS: Coles fined for "misleading" country-of-origin claims

1 Jul 2013

Coles, Australia's second-largest grocer, has paid fines totalling more than A$60,000 for alleged misleading country-of-origin claims.

AUS: Simplot warns two Australian plants could close

5 Jun 2013

The Australian arm of US-based food group Simplot has warned two factories could close, putting around 325 jobs at risk.

Comment: Why it can be in a grocer's interest to help a supplier

26 Apr 2013

The plight of Australian supplier Spring Gully Foods, which is in administration, has again shone the spotlight on the country's grocery sector, of which two retailers enjoy a combined market share of 70%-plus. However, it has also been an example of why retailers do provide assistance to ailing suppliers.

AUS: H1 sales up at retail giant Coles

31 Jan 2013

Coles, Australia's second-largest food retailer, has reported a near-5% increase in half-year sales.