Coles Group

Coles Group Limited (formerly Coles Myer Limited) was an Australian public company that operated numerous retail chains. It was Australia's second-largest retailer, behind Woolworths Limited. It was acquired by Western Australian public company Wesfarmers, with transfer of ownership on 23 November 2007.

History

Coles

In 1914, the first Coles "variety store" was opened in Melbourne. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles when he opened what was called the "Coles Variety Store" in Smith Street in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood. More stores opened and the chain was regarded as the leaders in providing value to Australian shoppers. Interestingly, the building formerly occupied by the original Coles Variety Store is now the location of a Woolworths outlet - the major competitor to Coles.

Coles was run in succession by members of the Coles family from 1914 until the mid-1970s by the "famous five knights", brothers Sir George, Sir Arthur, Sir Edgar, Sir Kenneth and Sir Norman — known by their first initials — GJ, AW, EB, KF, NC.