Coles Group has posted four per cent supermarkets sales growth for the third quarter of FY26, driven by volume and eCommerce gains, while its Liquor division recorded a 3.9 per cent revenue decline amid soft consumer sentiment.
Coles Group reported total group sales revenue of $10.7 billion for the 12 weeks to 29 March 2026, up 3.1 per cent on the prior corresponding period, with supermarkets carrying the result as the liquor business continued to contract.
SNAPSHOT — 3Q FY26 SALES REVENUE
|
Segment |
3Q26 ($M) |
3Q25 ($M) |
Change |
|
Supermarkets |
9,781 |
9,401 |
+4.0% |
|
Liquor |
781 |
813 |
−3.9% |
|
Other |
141 |
165 |
−14.5% |
|
Total Group |
10,703 |
10,379 |
+3.1% |
Supermarkets sales revenue of $9.8 billion rose 4.0 per cent on a reported basis and 3.6 per cent on a comparable basis. Excluding tobacco, growth reached 5.7 per cent, up from 4.7 per cent in the prior corresponding period. The result was underpinned by volume gains across everyday grocery, supported by a Summer value campaign, promotional activity, and elevated pantry-stocking demand in March linked to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East.
eCommerce was a standout, with sales revenue up 24.8 per cent to $1.3 billion and penetration reaching 13.6 per cent, up from 11.3 per cent a year earlier. Penetration hit 14.2 per cent in March.
Coles Group CEO, Leah Weckert, said the result reflected consistent execution across the business.
“We delivered another strong sales result reflecting the strength of our customer offer and disciplined execution against our strategic priorities. Achieving consistent sales momentum for the period over multiple years demonstrates our commitment to remaining focused on long term outcomes whilst successfully navigating short term volatility in market conditions and supply chains,” Weckert said.
Price inflation in supermarkets moderated to 0.8 per cent excluding tobacco, down from 1.7 per cent in the second quarter, reflecting deflation in fresh produce and easing packaged grocery inflation. Red meat inflation persisted, though Coles said it partially absorbed cost increases as part of its value investment.
The Exclusive to Coles portfolio grew 7.3 per cent, supported by 142 new product launches and a refreshed Coles Simply range. Coles Finest was the strongest performing tier, up 8.2 per cent. Flybuys active members rose 5 per cent to 10.3 million, while Coles Plus and Coles Plus Saver subscriptions grew 75 per cent.
Liquor division
Liquor revenue fell to $781 million, down 3.9 per cent, with comparable sales declining 4.3 per cent. Convenience stores — representing roughly 90 per cent of the network — broadly held their ground, while warehouse formats experienced steeper declines. The company closed 14 liquor stores and opened one during the quarter, reducing the network to 987 stores.
Coles flagged that Liquor earnings in the second half are expected to be impacted by reduced fixed cost fractionalisation as softer March trading flows through.
Looking to the fourth quarter, Coles said supermarkets sales growth had remained broadly in line with the third quarter in early trading, adjusted for Easter and Anzac Day timing impacts. The company flagged rising supplier cost price increase requests and higher costs in fuel, freight and packaging, noting it would seek to mitigate impacts where possible.
“We know value and availability will be important to our customers over the months ahead and we are well placed to respond to this with our extensive own brand portfolio, our leading eCommerce platforms and the strength of the infrastructure and capability that sits within our supply chain,” Weckert said.
