Australia’s two largest supermarket operators, Woolworths and Wesfarmers, have been listed in the world’s top 30 retail companies, according to the Deloitte Global Powers of Retailing 2010 report. The report, which identifies the 250 largest retailers by revenue for the fiscal year 2008 (encompasses fiscal years ended through June 2009), lists Woolworths in 26th position and Wesfarmers in 28th position. The two ASX-listed giants get the bulk of their revenue from supermarkets although... ...Read more »

American-based retailer Costco has poured another $25 million into their Australian operations to go with over $80 million spent last year, according to accounts obtained by The Age. The company opened their first Australian store in Melbourne during August amid great fanfare, with crowds upon opening more akin to a launch of a new Apple store or gadget than a wholesale outlet. The latest financial report, provided to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, highlights a $2.36 million... ...Read more »

The world’s ninth largest retailer has today opened its long-awaited first store in Australia within the Docklands precinct of Melbourne. The warehouse retailer, which sells everything from branded food products to bakery goods, diamonds and TVs, was flooded with customers upon opening this morning – all hoping to find out what the fuss is about. “There were people queuing halfway down Docklands this morning,” a Costco spokesperson told ninemsn. “There are thousands... ...Read more »

The competition watchdog has today refuted claims that Coles and Woolworths exert too much dominance in Australia’s grocery sector. Graeme Samuel, Chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, called for a reality check in the debate around food inflation when he addressed the National Retail Forum in Melbourne today. The debate has again been a hot topic in recent weeks after the release of RBA data highlighting that food, beverage and tobacco prices had risen 4% each year,... ...Read more »

Wesfarmers boss Richard Goyder, who yesterday reported his company was “bulletproof at the moment”, is not fearful of the imminent launch of Costco in Australia, instead looking toward the benefits they can draw from the retailer’s entry. “They’ll make an impact and we’ll learn from that, and we’ll learn what our customers might desire and want,” he said at a business lunch yesterday. “And hopefully we’ll improve our businesses as a consequence.” Mr... ...Read more »

Costco, the world’s ninth largest retailer, will open their first Australian store on August 17. The launch of their first warehouse club in the Docklands precinct – on the fringe of Melbourne’s CBD – has been eagerly anticipated and could lead to a new force in the retail market in Australia. Australian Managing Director Patrick Noone said in an interview today that the plan was for an opening in Sydney’s western suburbs in 2010, with expansion to kick on strongly from... ...Read more »

International retail giants Aldi and Costco have Adelaide in their expansion plans, but are yet to be drawn on a likely entry date. German-based discount grocer Aldi has grown rapidly along the east coast but has consistently played down talk of a western expansion. In January, Australian Managing Director Michael Kloeters said they had no plans to expand beyond eastern borders. However, they have now told the Adelaide Advertiser that they will branch out to Adelaide in coming years, with the first... ...Read more »

A new survey has indicated growing skepticism of the major grocery chains, with Consumer Affairs Minister Craig Emerson today indicating he was hopeful the proliferation of Aldi stores and the introduction of Costco will shake up the sector. Speaking following the release of a survey of Adelaide and Sydney mothers by Heartbeat Trends that suggested growing discontent with Woolworths and Coles, Dr Emerson told Sky News that, when it came to supermarket operators, his view was “the more the merrier”. “The... ...Read more »

Costco’s arrival on the Australian retail arena is edging ever closer and their Australian boss remains steadfast in the belief that their offering will appeal to Australian consumers. Making their mark The world’s ninth largest retailer is destined to make an impact based on their previous expansions beyond their home base in America, but what works overseas doesn’t always work here in Australia. Starbucks is now all too aware of that. Costco offers a much wider range of goods than... ...Read more »

Costco Wholesale Managing Director Patrick Noone has reported that the retailer remains unperturbed by the economic conditions as results from their early membership drive surpass expectations. “I think any time is a good time to open,” he told the Sunshine Coast Daily. “If people are value-conscious and brand-conscious, they will come to us.” The world’s ninth largest retailer is destined to shake things up in the retail sector in Australia but questions still linger... ...Read more »