ACCC Report Exposes Supermarket Power Imbalance and Rising Profits

Australia's competition regulator confirms Coles and Woolworths' dominance, with rising grocery prices outpacing wages and calls for structural reforms rejected by the government.

The ACCC's final report identifies Coles and Woolworths as controlling 67% of the supermarket market, creating an oligopolistic structure with limited competition.
The report reveals that grocery prices have risen 24% over the past five years, surpassing wage growth, while profit margins for Coles, Woolworths, and Aldi have also increased.
The ACCC proposed 20 recommendations to improve competition and transparency, including publishing price changes online, regulating promotions, and enhancing supplier protections.
The federal government accepted the recommendations in principle but rejected calls for divestiture powers, citing risks of unintended consequences.
Legal actions against Coles and Woolworths for allegedly misleading pricing practices are ongoing, as public debate over supermarket reforms continues.