AUSTRALIA HYPERMARKET
 
HIGHLIGHTS IN RETAILING MARKET
OCTOBER 2006
 
Coles Myer

Australia’s largest supermarket chain Woolworths is keen to take up a stake in 2nd largest supermarket chain Coles Myer, and that a second bid is already in the way. The management of Woolworths did not specify which business segment that they were keen to take up, but it is believed that it may be eyeing Target or Officeworks, in line with Woolworths business segment.

Coles Myer, Australia’s largest retailer currently operates approximately 2,600 stores in Australia and New Zealand.
 
The company reported a turnover of A$36.7bn and net profit after tax of A787 million in 2006 and is Australia’s largest non-government employer with over 165,000 staff.
 
Coles Myer house brands include: Bi-Lo Supermarkets, Coles Supermarkets, Coles Online, Coles Express Service Stations, Harris Technology, Kmart, Kmart Tyre & Auto Service, Liquorland, Liquorland Direct, Megamart, Myer, Officeworks, Shopfast, Target, Theo's Liquor and Vintage Cellars.
 
 
Woolworths
 
Woolworths reported strong solid sales growth for 1Q2006 of 21% or A$10.7billion from 2 major contributing divisions mainly from the food and liquor operations and recent continued acquisitions. The corporate strategy of lowering prices has received positive response from their consumers.
 
Woolworths house brands include : Woolworths and Safeway Supermarkets, BIG W, Dick Smith Electronics, Dick Smith PowerHouse, Tandy, BWS and Dan Murphy's.
 
 
 
  
KEY STATISTICS
 
Population: 20,692,521 (Oct 2006 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.85% (2006 est.)
 
Retail trade turnover at current prices

Consumer Price Index : 3.9% ( Sept 2006 )
 
Unemployment rate: 4.8% (September 2006)