Coles commits another A$300m to its next phase of growth

Around 45 new supermarkets and 150 store renewals are planned through FY28, alongside further investment in online fulfilment and technology.

Coles is increasing investment across its supermarket network, committing an additional A$300 million over FY27 and FY28 as it accelerates new store openings, renewals and technology investment.

Around 45 new supermarkets are planned, primarily in infill locations and high-growth corridors, together with approximately 150 renewals across the existing network. The programme will also expand online fulfilment capacity and support further simplification of Coles’ technology environment, including more AI-enabled capabilities.

The investment follows another year of strong online growth. Supermarkets eCommerce sales rose 26.4 per cent to A$5.6 billion in FY26, while Coles continued to expand and renew its physical store network.

New stores and digital growth are therefore moving forward together. The role of the supermarket is also becoming broader, with stores increasingly supporting fulfilment, customer service and day-to-day network productivity alongside the traditional retail floor.

Supply chain investment remains part of the same programme. Coles is continuing development of its A$880 million automated distribution centre in Victoria, which is expected to process around 4.6 million cartons a week once operational.

Coles’ latest investment plans reflect a broader shift already visible across the Australian retail market: capital is moving into stores, fulfilment, automation and technology at the same time. These are no longer separate conversations. They are increasingly part of the same operating agenda.

These investment priorities are already shaping the agenda across Australian retail, and will be central to the conversations at Retail Show Australia in Melbourne this September.

Retail Show Australia 2026 takes place from 22–24 September at MCEC Melbourne, bringing together the retail sector across technology, store design and fitout, AI, security, payments, energy, fulfilment and retail operations.

Source: Coles Group FY26 Results, 25 August 2026.