However,the supermarket does not have a spotless record when it comes to price promises.
Last September,Coles blamed a ticketing error after this mastheadinquired about items “on special” that were actually more expensive than the original listed price. In December,it was forced to apologise after prematurely raising prices on items that,according to its ads,had “locked-in” prices.
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Woolworths has also come under fire by consumers and politicians for price gouging.
With the price of red meat in the spotlight over the Christmas and New Year period,particularly as the nation works through anoversupply of livestock,Coles outlined how it paid meat,and fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers.
“Coles buys feedlot and pasture-raised cattle on forward contracts,and we agree prices with our farmers at this time. These contracts provide security of demand for our suppliers and security of supply for Coles and our customers,” the submission stated.
With horticulture suppliers,Coles said it entered into “seasonal commitments” that are based on volume and vary according to season and region.
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“From these commitments,both parties then negotiate on a per-order basis (with orders typically placed weekly over multiple days). Price is agreed by Coles and the supplier using a variety of factors from current market availability,and volumes needing to be moved within the time period of supply,along with promotional plans for the item.”
Coles also argued that despite the high market concentration (together with Woolworths it makes up a combined 65 per cent of the supermarket sector),the food retailing category was “highly competitive”,and pointed to a 2023 Productivity Commission document that noted “aggressive competition” between the two rivals.
For the 2023 financial year,the ASX-listedColes reported $1.1 billion in net profits,while itslarger rival Woolworths posted $1.6 billion.
Meanwhile,Aldi revealed in its own submission that it saw a 4 per cent gain in customers in 2023 as shoppers seek more value and switched to the German-headquartered chain.
Seeking to differentiate itself from the two dominant players,Aldi said its strategy was to stock a more limited product range (around 1800 items compared to 25,000) and to offer low prices year-round rather than a rotation of mark-ups and discounts.
“Aldi’s prices are more stable than at some of the other supermarkets,” its submission said.
“Permanently low prices across the majority of the Aldi range means more clarity and certainty for customers as well as more savings year-round for shoppers.”
The supermarket chain also touted its approach to working with suppliers,pointing to a 2022-23 independent review into the food and grocery code of conduct that found Aldi ranked the highest “across the board” compared to other signatories of the voluntary code,and “particularly outperformed” on supplier experience.
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A series of inquiries have been launched into grocery competition and supermarket pricing power as Australians contend with sustained cost-of-living pressures.
The ACCC has been ordered to use itsfull legal force to conduct a year-long investigation,and former Labor competition policy and consumer affairs ministerCraig Emerson has been appointed to review the food and grocery code of conduct.
On Wednesday,former consumer watchdog headAllan Fels released his report into price gouging,commissioned by the Australian Council of Trade Unions. It found Australians are being overcharged for everything from energy to groceries,childcare and airfares,and called for the government to step in.
The Senate inquiry,chaired by Greens Senator Nick McKim,has not yet announced any hearing dates.
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