Your weekly pulse on retail in Australia and New Zealand. WE 16 Feb 2025 delivering a sharp, insightful recap of the biggest headlines shaping the industry.
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Coles Rolls Out AI-Powered Smart Carts
Coles has become the first retailer in the APAC region to introduce Instacart’s AI-powered Caper Carts. These smart shopping carts let customers scan, pay, and check out without waiting in line, offering a more seamless and efficient in-store experience. This move highlights retailers’ growing investment in AI and automation to enhance convenience and improve customer satisfaction.
KFC & Super Rugby Take Fan Engagement to New Heights
KFC is leveraging sports sponsorship in a big way, launching a ‘Fly Me to the Game’ promotion with Super Rugby. Fans have the chance to win flights and tickets to key matches, blending brand engagement, sports culture, and experiential marketing. As competition for customer loyalty intensifies, retailers and QSR brands are increasingly turning to unique experiences and gamified promotions to build deeper consumer connections.
Cartology Expands In-Store Digital Media Network
Woolworths’ media business, Cartology, is ramping up its retail media network, rolling out thousands of new digital screens in supermarkets. This expansion offers brands a powerful platform to engage customers at the point of purchase, further cementing retail media as a critical advertising channel. With advertisers shifting budgets toward data-driven, in-store experiences, retailers like Woolworths are monetising store environments in new ways.
MCoBeauty Sells for $1 Billion in a Major Beauty Acquisition
Dennis Bastas, the owner of health and beauty conglomerate DBG, has acquired Australian beauty brand MCoBeauty for $1 billion. MCoBeauty’s affordable luxury positioning and influencer-driven growth have made it a standout brand in the competitive beauty sector. This acquisition signals continued investment in high-growth beauty brands, especially those tapping into accessible luxury and digital-first consumer engagement.
Woolworths to Cut Office Jobs in Cost-Cutting Move
Woolworths is set to cut office-based roles as part of a broader cost-reduction strategy, aiming to streamline operations and improve efficiency. The move comes as the retailer grapples with rising operational costs and seeks to refocus investments on frontline retail and digital transformation. While specifics on the number of jobs impacted remain unclear, the shift reflects a growing trend of corporate downsizing across the retail sector.
Calls for a Four-Day Work Week Gain Momentum in Australia
The four-day work week debate is heating up in Australia, with increasing calls for businesses to adopt flexible working models to boost productivity, employee wellbeing, and work-life balance. While some industries, particularly in tech and corporate sectors, are trialing reduced workweeks, the retail sector faces unique challenges in implementing such a shift. As discussions continue, retailers will need to balance workforce expectations with operational demands to stay competitive.
Malabar Gold & Diamonds Invests $75M in NZ Expansion
Malabar Gold & Diamonds, one of the world’s largest jewellery retailers, is making a bold entry into New Zealand, investing $75M to expand its presence. As demand for luxury goods rises, this investment reflects the growing appeal of high-end jewellery among Kiwi consumers. With a strong international presence, Malabar’s move into NZ aligns with the luxury sector’s post-pandemic resurgence.
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