Coles Group
 |
|
| Successor |
Wesfarmers (November 2007 - present) |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1914 – Business 1929 – Public Company 1986 – Coles Myer 2006 – Coles Group 2007 – acquired by Wesfarmers |
| Headquarters | Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia |
|
Key people
|
Rick Allert AO (chairman) John Fletcher (CEO) |
| Products | Retail and Consumer Services |
|
Number of employees
|
165,000+ |
| Subsidiaries | Coles Supermarkets, Bi-Lo, Pick 'n Pay Hypermarkets, Coles Express, Coles Central, Coles Select, Coles Hotels, Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, 1st Choice Liquor Superstore, Officeworks, Kmart, Kmart Tyre & Auto Service, Target, Target Country, Target Home, Harris Technology |
| Website | www |
Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) was an Australian public company that operated numerous retail chains. It was Australia's second-largest retailer, behind Woolworths Limited. It was acquired by Western Australian public company Wesfarmers, with transfer of ownership on 23 November 2007. The corporate operations ceased at head office in Melbourne from that point, now based at Wesfarmers head office in Perth.
In 1914, the first Coles "variety store" was opened in Melbourne. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles when he opened what was called the "Coles Variety Store" in Smith Street in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood. More stores opened and the chain was regarded as the leaders in providing value to Australian shoppers. Interestingly, the building formerly occupied by the original Coles Variety Store is now the location of a Woolworths outlet - the major competitor to Coles.
Coles was run in succession by members of the Coles family from 1914 until the mid-1970s by the "famous five knights", brothers Sir George, Sir Arthur, Sir Edgar, Sir Kenneth and Sir Norman — known by their first initials — GJ, AW, EB, KF, NC.
In 1960, the first supermarket was opened in the Melbourne suburb of North Balwyn and in 1973, a Coles store had been established in all capital cities of the country.
Kmart Australia Limited was born out of a joint venture between G.J Coles & Coy (Coles) and Kmart Corporation in the US. The first store opened in the Melbourne suburb of Burwood in 1969.
In 1978 Coles acquired full ownership of the Australian K-Mart operation and in 1994 bought back all shares Kmart Corporation held in Coles Myer.
A long-term licensing agreement allows Coles Group to use the Kmart name. Kmart New Zealand shares merchandise and branding with Kmart Australia, and is owned by Coles Group Holdings New Zealand.
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Wikipedia