Coles has released its 2025 half year results, with Group sales revenue increasing by 3.7% to $20.03 billion.
“We have had a strong focus on value, fresh quality and availability which has supported volume-led growth in supermarkets during the half,” says Coles Group CEO Leah Weckert.
“Pleasingly, we saw improving customer experience metrics during the period, reinforcing the importance of delivering affordability and a great shopping experience whilst customers continue to face cost of living pressures.
“We made good progress on our Simplify and Save to Invest target, delivering $157 million in cost savings, allowing us to offset continued cost inflation and invest in our customer proposition, whilst delivering returns for the many Australians who are shareholders.
“I would particularly like to recognise the commitment and hard work of our team members in stores, distribution centres and customer fulfilment centres over a very busy Christmas period. Collectively, we have achieved a lot over the past six months in support of our strategy and our purpose of ‘Helping Australians eat and live better every day’.”
Supermarkets
Supermarkets sales revenue was $20.6 billion for the half. This was an increase of 4.3% compared to the prior corresponding period. Excluding tobacco, sales revenue increased by 5.6%.
In the second quarter, sales revenue increased by 4.9% and sales revenue excluding tobacco increased by 6.2%. Comparable sales growth for the second quarter was 4.2%.
“Sales growth was underpinned by the successful delivery of seasonal events including Christmas, Halloween and Black Friday, trade events including the SMEG and ‘Christmas Instant Win’ campaigns, and a positive customer response to, and continued investment in, our ‘Great Value, Hands Down’ value campaigns,” says Coles.
E-commerce sales penetration increased to 10.7% with e-commerce sales growth of 22.6%.
“[E-commerce] sales growth was driven by strong trade plans across Black Friday, Christmas and New Year, coupled with incremental sales in Victoria following competitor supply chain industrial action,” says Coles.
“Growth was supported by operational initiatives including improved personalisation in the Coles App, the introduction of a Coles Plus annual subscription and the national launch of a windowless Rapid Delivery offer…”
During the half, Coles completed 25 store renewals, opened three new stores and closed one store, taking the total network to 858 supermarkets.
Liquor
Liquor sales revenue was $2 billion for the half. This was an increase of 0.8% compared to the prior corresponding period.
Performance improved across the half with sales growth in the second quarter of 1.5%.
Comparable sales in the second quarter grew by 1.2% compared to a decline in comparable sales of 4.4% in the first quarter.
“The market continues to be subdued as economic pressures impact discretionary spending; however, we saw a slight recovery in November and December,” says the retailer.
“Sales were supported by strong trading across key events including Cyber Week, Spring Racing and Christmas, coupled with improved availability following the roll out of Liquor Easy Ordering to more than 300 stores during the period.
“Our ‘Summer of Flybuys’ campaign also resonated with customers, offering additional Flybuys points for selected products across November and December, increasing swipe rates across all banners.”
E-commerce sales revenue increased by 9.2% with penetration increasing to 6.9% (8.2% including liquor sold through Coles Online), which the retailer says reflects continued growth in the on-demand channel, particularly across Cyber Week.
67 store renewals were completed, six new stores opened, and three stores closed across the Liquorland, Vintage Cellars and First Choice banners. At the end of the period the portfolio comprised 995 stores.
During the half, Coles Liquor commenced its banner simplification pilot with 14 stores converted to Liquorland, Liquorland Cellars or Liquorland Warehouse.