Aldi expansion gives Coles green light for IGA buys in WA

The Australian competitor regulator has taken into account Aldi’s expansion into Western Australia in deciding to grant supermarket giant Coles approval to acquire three independent grocery stores supplied by Metcash.

Despite early concerns about the impact on competition, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on Thursday it would not oppose Coles’ acquisition of three Supa IGA stores in Bunbury, Halls Head, and Dianella in Western Australia.

The ACCC has deferred a decision on a fourth store, a Supa IGA at Busselton, at the request of Coles, which is seeking to provide further information to the commission.