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ACCC Scrutinizes Coles Acquisition in Kalgoorlie-Boulder

  //sports-competition.news-articles.net/content/2 .. zes-coles-acquisition-in-kalgoorlie-boulder.html
  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, January 29th 2026 at 2:56 GMT by The West Australian
      Locale: Western Australia, AUSTRALIA

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Western Australia - January 29, 2026 - The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced it will undertake a more detailed review of Coles' proposed acquisition of a supermarket and liquor retail site in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. The move signals growing concern regarding the potential impact on competition within the region's grocery and alcohol markets.

The proposed acquisition, details of which remain partially confidential, involves a currently independent supermarket and associated liquor store. While the specific vendor has not been publicly named, the ACCC has indicated the scale of the deal warrants further investigation. The concern isn't necessarily about Coles becoming larger overall, but the potential consolidation of market share within a geographically isolated area like Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

ACCC Commissioner Roger Samuel stated, "We are concerned that this acquisition could reduce competition for grocery and liquor retail in Kalgoorlie-Boulder, potentially leading to higher prices or reduced choice for consumers." This assessment comes after an initial review flagged potential anti-competitive outcomes. The ACCC's mandate is to ensure healthy competition within the Australian marketplace, preventing monopolies or situations where a few large players can dictate terms to consumers.

Kalgoorlie-Boulder, a significant regional center with a population of approximately 30,000, presents a unique competitive landscape. The relative isolation and limited number of major grocery and liquor retailers make it particularly vulnerable to the effects of consolidation. Unlike metropolitan areas with numerous options, residents of Kalgoorlie-Boulder rely on a smaller pool of suppliers for essential goods.

This isn't the first time the ACCC has closely examined acquisitions by major supermarket chains. In recent years, similar scrutiny has been applied to deals involving Woolworths and ALDI, particularly in regional and outer-metropolitan areas. The ACCC's heightened focus reflects a broader trend towards safeguarding competition in areas where consumer choice is already limited.

The key concern centers on the potential for Coles to increase prices or reduce the range of products offered if it eliminates a key competitor. While Coles argues that the acquisition will allow for efficiencies and improved services, the ACCC is tasked with objectively assessing whether these benefits outweigh the potential harm to competition. The impact on local suppliers is also a factor the ACCC will likely consider. Reduced competition among retailers could, in turn, place pressure on local producers to lower their prices.

The ACCC is now actively soliciting feedback from interested parties, including consumers, local businesses, and industry stakeholders. Submissions are being accepted until March 5, 2026. The ACCC specifically encourages anyone with information relevant to the competitive dynamics of the Kalgoorlie-Boulder grocery and liquor markets to come forward. This is a crucial opportunity for the community to voice their concerns and provide insights that will inform the ACCC's final decision.

"We want to hear from people in Kalgoorlie-Boulder about how this acquisition might affect them," Samuel added. "Their input is vital to our assessment." The ACCC will publish a statement of issues outlining its key concerns and detailing the information it seeks from submissions.

Both Coles and the vendor have been contacted for comment but have yet to release detailed statements beyond acknowledging the ACCC review. Industry analysts predict that the ACCC's decision could set a precedent for future acquisitions in regional areas, influencing the strategies of other major supermarket chains. The final decision, expected in late March or early April, will likely include legally binding undertakings if the ACCC deems them necessary to mitigate any anti-competitive effects.