Leslie Massey
Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company that operates several retail chains, including its flagship supermarket chain, Coles Supermarkets. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles, and since then, it has grown to become the second-largest retailer in Australia after Woolworths. While Coles claims that all the fresh white milk it sells comes from Australian dairy farms, much of the milk sold in Australian supermarkets is ultimately owned by foreign companies. In 2024, Coles faced backlash for removing Gippsland Jersey, an Australian-owned independent milk brand, from the majority of its stores, sparking concerns about the impact on family farms and rural communities. This has led to discussions about the ownership of milk brands in Australia and the support provided to local producers and farmers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company | TRUE |
| Coles sells milk from Australian dairy farms | TRUE |
| Coles sells milk owned by foreign companies | TRUE |
| Coles sells milk from Australian-owned companies | TRUE |
| Coles removed 100% Australian milk from its stores | FALSE |
| Coles removed milk from one Australian milk provider | TRUE |
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What You'll Learn
Coles milk is sourced from Australian dairy farms
Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company that operates several retail chains, including its flagship supermarket chain, Coles Supermarkets. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles, who opened the first "Coles Variety Store" in Collingwood, Victoria. Since then, Coles has grown to become the second-largest retailer in Australia, with operations spanning supermarkets, liquor stores, and financial services.
Coles has confirmed that all of the fresh white milk it sells in its stores originates from Australian dairy farms. This means that Coles milk is sourced from local dairy farms, supporting Australian farmers and the local agriculture industry. While the milk may come from Australian farms, it is important to note that the ownership of the milk brands sold in Coles can be varied. Some are owned by Australian companies, while others are owned by foreign companies.
For example, Australian-owned milk brands sold in Coles include Riverina Fresh and Norco Co-op, which are fully Australian-owned. On the other hand, brands like Pauls, Devondale, and Sungold are owned by foreign companies. Despite this, the milk itself is still produced in Australia, benefiting Australian dairy farmers.
It is worth noting that there have been concerns and controversies regarding Coles' milk sourcing practices. In 2024, there was outrage when Coles removed Gippsland Jersey milk, a popular 100% Aussie milk brand, from most of its stores due to a disagreement over pricing. This decision sparked concerns about the impact on small suppliers, family farms, and rural communities. However, Coles has stated that it remains committed to supporting local and independent producers and will continue to stock Gippsland Jersey in select stores where there is high customer demand.
In summary, Coles milk is sourced from Australian dairy farms, contributing to the local economy and supporting Australian farmers. While the ownership of milk brands may vary, the milk sold in Coles stores is Australian, ensuring high-quality, locally produced milk for consumers. Coles' commitment to supporting local producers is evident, although there have been instances where their decisions have caused concern among consumers and farmers alike.
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Coles Group is an Australian public company
Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company that operates several retail chains. The company was founded in 1914 by George Coles in Collingwood, Victoria, as a "Coles Variety Store". Over the years, Coles has grown to become the second-largest retailer in Australia, after Woolworths, in terms of revenue.
The company's primary operations are focused on the sale of food and groceries through its flagship supermarket chain, Coles Supermarkets, and the sale of liquor through its Coles Liquor outlets. As of 2019, Coles Group included 806 Coles Supermarkets, 712 Coles Express outlets, and 894 liquor stores, including Liquorland, Vintage Cellars, and First Choice Liquor.
Coles Group has a long history in Australia, with the Coles family running the business from 1914 until the mid-1970s. In 1986, the company changed its name to "Coles Myer Limited" after merging with Myer Emporium Ltd. In 2007, Coles Group was acquired by Wesfarmers and remained under their ownership until 2018 when it was spun off and once again listed as an independent public company on the Australian Securities Exchange.
While Coles sources its fresh white milk from Australian dairy farms, it is important to note that much of the milk sold in Australian supermarkets is ultimately owned by foreign companies. However, Coles has stated its commitment to supporting local suppliers and independent producers, and it regularly reviews its product ranges to meet customer demands.
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Gippsland Jersey milk is Aussie-owned
Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company that operates several retail chains, including its flagship supermarket chain Coles Supermarkets. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles in Collingwood, Victoria, and has since become the second-largest retailer in Australia after Woolworths.
While Coles claims that all of the fresh white milk it sells comes from Australian dairy farms, much of the milk sold in Australian supermarkets is ultimately owned by foreign companies. Gippsland Jersey milk is an exception to this, as it is a mum-and-dad-owned independent milk brand that is Aussie-owned. Gippsland Jersey milk is produced by Jersey cows, which are known for their higher milk components, with 20% more fat and protein. These cows are also more environmentally friendly due to their smaller size and lower carbon footprint.
Gippsland Jersey milk is facing challenges due to a disagreement with Coles over pricing, and the brand has been removed from many Coles stores. Despite this, Gippsland Jersey milk can still be found at selected IGA, Woolworths, and independent retailers.
By choosing Gippsland Jersey milk, consumers can directly support family farms and ensure the sustainability of rural communities. This is in contrast to many other milk brands in Australian supermarkets, which are owned by large multinational corporations.
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Coles' milk processing plants impact smaller suppliers
Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company that operates several retail chains, including its flagship supermarket chain Coles Supermarkets. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles, and since then, it has grown to become the second-largest retailer in Australia. Coles does not currently own or operate any dairy processing facilities, but it has been approved to take over two milk processing plants from Saputo, a Canadian-based dairy product company. This decision has sparked concerns among dairy industry representatives and farmers who worry about the potential impact on smaller suppliers and reduced competition in the market.
The acquisition of the two Saputo plants in Laverton North, Victoria, and Erskine Park, New South Wales, will give Coles control over milk processing for its own brand of fresh milk. While Coles has stated that it remains committed to supporting independent and local producers, some are concerned that this move will strengthen its position in the dairy supply chain and give it more power over pricing and supplier choices. This is particularly concerning for smaller suppliers, who may struggle to compete with Coles' large-scale operations and bargaining power.
One specific concern is the potential impact on Gippsland Jersey, an independent milk brand that is facing challenges due to Coles' margin requirements and sales expectations. Gippsland Jersey is a family-owned business that sources milk from local dairy farmers, and its delisting from Coles stores could have broader implications for family farms and rural communities. This decision has sparked outrage among consumers who support local and sustainable agriculture.
Additionally, there are worries that Coles' acquisition of milk processing plants may lead to a reduction in competition within the dairy industry. With Coles already being the largest customer of the Saputo plants, there is a possibility that smaller suppliers will face increased challenges in accessing processing facilities and negotiating fair prices. This could potentially drive smaller suppliers out of business or force them to sell to larger corporations, further consolidating the market.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has acknowledged these concerns but stated that it does not oppose the acquisition. The ACCC believes that Saputo will continue acquiring raw milk from farmers in NSW for at least the next five years and that other dairy companies will provide competition in central NSW. However, industry representatives remain skeptical, fearing that the deal will reduce market transparency and increase risks for farmers and smaller suppliers.
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Coles' Aussie milk removal is misleading
The claim that 100% Aussie milk has been removed from Coles stores is misleading. While it is true that one milk provider, Gippsland Jersey, has been removed from many Coles stores, it is not the case that all Australian milk has been removed. Gippsland Jersey milk will remain available at 16 Victorian Coles stores. The removal of Gippsland Jersey milk from Coles stores is due to a disagreement over pricing, according to the dairy.
Gippsland Jersey is a family-owned independent milk brand that is committed to paying a fair price to its suppliers and ensuring that dairy farmers are compensated for their work. The brand also has environmental benefits, as the milk has a lower carbon footprint and comes from smaller cows with a higher protein content.
However, despite these benefits, Gippsland Jersey is facing challenges due to the retailer's margin requirements and sales expectations. This decision by Coles has been criticised for overlooking the impact on family farms and rural communities, which depend on the viability of local dairy businesses.
It is important to note that while Coles does sell milk from Australian dairy farms, much of the milk sold in Australian supermarkets is ultimately owned by foreign companies. Exceptions include Australian-owned brands such as Riverina Fresh and Norco Co-op.
Therefore, while it is accurate that Gippsland Jersey milk has been removed from many Coles stores, it is misleading to claim that 100% Aussie milk has been completely removed. This claim has caused confusion and concern among social media users, with some expressing worry about the impact on small suppliers and local dairy businesses.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Coles Group Limited is an Australian public company founded in Collingwood, Victoria in 1914.
While the milk sold at Coles may come from Australian farms, much of it is owned by foreign companies, including Pauls, Devondale and Sungold. However, there are exceptions, such as Australian-owned Riverina Fresh and Norco Co-op.
There was outrage when Coles removed Gippsland Jersey milk, a 100% Aussie milk, from most of its stores due to a disagreement over pricing and the retailer's margin requirements.
Yes, Gippsland Jersey milk will remain at 16 Victorian Coles stores where there is high demand for the brand.
To support local dairy farmers, you can choose to buy branded milk from local farms or independent retailers outside of major supermarket chains.
