Public hearings1 Nov 2024
In November 2024, we conducted public hearings involving senior executives of ALDI, Coles, Metcash, Woolworths, and other stakeholders. The public hearings helped to gain a more complete understanding of key issues in the retail grocery sector and its associated supply chains.
The hearings considered issues including:
- supermarket price setting practices
- retail competition
- supermarket profitability and margins
- concerns raised in grocery supply chains.
The General practice note for conduct of hearings ( PDF 134.99 KB ) set out general guidance about the procedures we followed for the hearings.
Public hearing dates and attendees
The public hearing dates and attendees were:
- 7 and 8 November 2024 – Consumer advocacy groups, supplier industry representative bodies and supplier(s)
- 11 and 12 November 2024 – ALDI
- 14 and 15 November 2024 – Metcash
- 18 and 19 November 2024 – Woolworths
- 21 and 22 November 2024 – Coles.
Transcripts of public hearings
The supermarkets inquiry public hearings have finished and transcripts are now available.
Private hearings
In addition to the public hearings, we conducted some private hearings with representatives of ALDI, Metcash, Woolworths and Coles in October 2024.
We may take evidence in private where:
- a witness objects to giving evidence in public on the basis that their evidence is confidential, and
- we are satisfied that the evidence is confidential and that it is desirable for the evidence to be given in private.
A further private hearing with Woolworths will be conducted in December 2024. The General practice note for conduct of hearings ( PDF 134.99 KB ) will also apply to this hearing.
Media queries
Any media queries should be directed to the ACCC media team at media@accc.gov.au or 1300 138 917.