Mining Town Denied Coles Store as Watchdog Tests Powers
The regulator said the new 2,800-square-metre store would likely force an independent rival out and reduce consumer choice.
- On Wednesday, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission blocked Coles from opening a second supermarket in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, finding the acquisition would force an independent competitor to exit the market and reduce consumer choice.
- ACCC Deputy Chair Mick Keogh said the proposed store would ultimately leave shoppers worse off, noting, "There is a real prospect that the acquisition would lead to the exit of an effective independent competitor."
- Kalgoorlie-Boulder serves about 30,000 residents with six supermarkets, including Woolworths, Spudshed, and an existing Coles, while the proposed 2800-square-metre site would have been the chain's second outlet.
- A Coles spokesperson said, "We disagree with the ACCC's decision," and the company is reviewing its options, while the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Chamber backed the regulator's concerns about local business impact.
- Premier Roger Cook stated his government would scrutinize the ruling; the company has not indicated whether it will appeal, though the decision reflects the regulator's focus on protecting competition in regional markets like the Goldfields.
20 Articles
20 Articles
The Courier
Mining town denied Coles store as watchdog tests powers
A town with six supermarkets has been denied a seventh as the corporate watchdog rules a second Coles...
ACCC blocks Coles supermarket to protect regional city's independents
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ACCC opposes Coles’ acquisition of supermarket and liquor site in Kalgoorlie, WA
The ACCC has opposed Coles Supermarkets’ proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest over a new supermarket and liquor site in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia. In November 2025, Coles notified the ACCC of a proposal to acquire the lease for a vacant site at 95-106 Great Eastern Highway, Somerville, a suburb of Kalgoorlie-Boulder. Coles proposed to develop the site to operate a full-line supermarket and liquor store. After an initial Phase…
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