Here are the latest developments on Coles and the ACCC based on recent public reporting.
Australia’s ACCC has been pursuing Coles in federal court over pricing practices tied to the Down Down promotions, alleging misleading discounts and deceptive conduct toward consumers in some promotional periods. This case has been a focal point for consumer protection in Australian supermarkets. [ABC News coverage referencing the ACCC-Coles dispute in 2026][3]
Australian media outlets are reporting ongoing court proceedings in early 2026, with the ACCC framing Coles’ promotional pricing as potentially misleading to shoppers and Coles defending the promotions as genuine discounts impacted by broader inflation and supplier costs. This theme has featured in several national outlets during February 2026. [ABC News and 9 News Australia reporting on the case][7][3]
There have been notable recaps and explanations from national broadcasters about what the case entails, including arguments about whether the advertised discounts reflected real price reductions or simply temporary price movements. These summaries help readers understand the core issue: whether customers were misled by Down Down pricing. [ABC News explainer and coverage][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the most current official ACCC statements or the latest court documents and summarize them, or set up a quick timeline of key events in the case. I can also track any resulting penalties or court rulings as they’re issued. Would you like a concise timeline or a brief bullet-point update with direct links to official sources?
Citations:
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.auListen to ABC News interviews and commentary and analysis from radio programs like AM, PM and The World Today.
www.abc.net.auThe ACCC 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 relation to its Active Retail Collaboration (ARC) program, in contravention of the Australian Consumer Law.
www.accc.gov.auRMIT experts are available to comment on the impacts of the ACCC launching legal action against Coles and Woolworths.
www.rmit.edu.au