Coles fined USD8m for misconduct

Australian supermarket giant Coles has been ordered to pay AUD10 million (USD8.1m) in penalties for “serious, deliberate and repeated” misconduct towards suppliers that were in some cases in financial trouble.

The Federal Court ruled in favour of a settlement between the retailer and the consumer watchdog, agreed by the parties last week.

Justice Michelle Gordon said the behaviour by Coles was orchestrated and relentless and involved threatening harm to suppliers by unlawfully withholding funds or demanding payments.