Here’s a quick update on the latest Coles-ACCC news.
- The ACCC has been active in 2026 regarding Coles’ pricing and promotions, including claims that some Down Down discounts were misleading to consumers (coverage includes Australian outlets like ABC and SBS reporting on a federal court case in February 2026).[3][4]
- Coverage in mid-February 2026 highlighted a federal court confrontation where the ACCC alleges deceptive discount promotions and Coles disputes the claims, noting inflation and supplier cost pressures as context.[4][3]
- Media from mainstream Australian outlets (ABC, SBS, 9 News) discusses potential penalties and reputational risk for Coles, with expectations that a court ruling could influence pricing practices across the sector.[8][4]
If you’d like, I can assemble a concise timeline of the key court actions and potential penalties, with direct quotes and dates from the sources. I can also pull the latest official ACCC statements and provide a brief synthesis.
Sources
The Federal Court has today, by consent, made declarations in two proceedings instituted by the ACCC that Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd engaged in unconscionable conduct in 2011 in its dealings with certain suppliers.
www.accc.gov.auListen to ABC News interviews and commentary and analysis from radio programs like AM, PM and The World Today.
www.abc.net.auThe consumer watchdog's barrister said increased costs are irrelevant to whether products are promoted to customers as genuine discounts.
www.sbs.com.auThe Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has instituted proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia against Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd and Grocery Holdings Pty Ltd (together, Coles) alleging that Coles engaged in unconscionable conduct in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law (ACL).
www.accc.gov.auListen to ABC News interviews and commentary and analysis from radio programs like AM, PM and The World Today.
www.abc.net.auRMIT experts are available to comment on the impacts of the ACCC launching legal action against Coles and Woolworths.
www.rmit.edu.au