Vintage Cellars
1989
Coles Group
Food & Grocery RetailFounded 1914- HQ today: Hawthorn East, Victoria, Australia
Reviewed by Swet Parvadiya
Company data updated: November 2026
Acquisitions
Coles Group Acquisitions
2
Major Deals Covered
What are Coles Group's biggest acquisitions?
This page covers 2 major deals from 1981 to 1989, each with its price where disclosed and the reason behind it.
- Major deals covered
- 2
- First deal
- 1981
- Most recent
- 1989
| Company | Year | Price | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Undisclosed | Acquired prestigious Australian fine wine specialist retail network. | |
| 1981 | Undisclosed | Foundational retail liquor acquisition establishing Coles' retail beverage division. |
- What companies has Coles Group bought?
- Major acquisitions by Coles Group documented here include Vintage Cellars (1989) and Liquorland (1981).
- What is Coles Group's most recent acquisition?
- The most recent Coles Group acquisition documented here is Vintage Cellars, in 1989.
Liquorland
1981
Coles Group's Growth & Acquisition Strategy
Under CEO Leah Weckert, Coles is executing four key strategic growth drivers: (1) Operationalizing Automated Customer Fulfillment Centres (CFCs): Ramping up automated robotic online warehouses powered by Ocado technology in Sydney and Melbourne to cut online delivery picking costs and double digital order capacity; (2) Accelerating 'Coles 360' Retail Media Network: Expanding Coles 360 retail media advertising across digital screens, personalized app promotions, and in-store media to capture high-margin marketing revenue from global CPG brands; (3) Scaling Coles Brand Exclusive Products: Expanding proprietary private-label lines (Coles Brand and premium Coles Finest) to deliver higher gross margins and provide price-conscious shoppers with affordable pantry alternatives; and (4) Expanding Rapid 60-Minute Click & Collect: Rolling out express pickup lockers and dedicated parking collection bays across hundreds of supermarkets nationwide.
How Coles Group Makes Money
Coles Group operates an integrated, high-volume retail food and beverage business model built on grocery essentials, retail liquor convenience, and omnichannel delivery: (1) Supermarket Food Operations (~89% of revenue / ~AUD $39.0B), generating high sales volumes from fresh Australian produce, meat, dairy, pantry goods, and private-label selections (Coles Brand, Coles Finest, Coles Nature's Kitchen) across 840+ supermarkets; (2) Coles Liquor Retailing (~9% of revenue / ~AUD $3.7B), monetizing wine, craft beer, and spirits across Liquorland (neighborhood convenience), First Choice Liquor Market (destination category killer), and Vintage Cellars (prestige fine wines); (3) Coles Online Delivery & Click & Collect (~2% of revenue / ~AUD $1.0B), charging delivery subscription fees (Coles Plus) and online fulfillment fees across home delivery and rapid 60-minute Click & Collect; (4) Automated Ocado Online Fulfillment: Operating specialized robotic picking grids in Sydney and Melbourne to fulfill complex metropolitan online grocery orders; and (5) Retail Media (Coles 360) & Flybuys Analytics: Monetizing targeted digital supplier advertising across the Coles app, website, and in-store radio, backed by 9M+ Flybuys shopper insights. Coles Group generates annual operating profit (EBIT) of approximately AUD $1.95 billion.
Coles Group Acquisitions FAQ
What is Coles Group's general approach to M&A and acquisitions?
Coles Group pursues a disciplined, strategic M&A approach focused on acquiring proprietary technologies, expanding customer distribution reach, and unlocking operational cost synergies rather than pursuing unselective scale.
What were some of the most transformative acquisitions completed by Coles Group?
Transformative transactions in Coles Group's history include pivotal mergers and acquisitions that secured key regional footprints, consolidated core market share, and brought proprietary software intellectual property in-house.
How does Coles Group successfully integrate acquired companies?
Coles Group deploys dedicated integration teams to harmonize core software stacks, align regulatory compliance systems, and unite company cultures while preserving entrepreneurial agility.
Does Coles Group divest non-core corporate assets?
Yes, Coles Group periodically evaluates its corporate portfolio, strategically divesting non-core or non-strategic assets to redeploy capital into high-margin core operational divisions.
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