Given the option, consumers are willing to opt for the cheaper, unbranded version amid high economic costs.
Coles is ''supporting the creation of 10,000 new jobs by suppliers through volume growth'' - with $1.6 billion in extra fresh food sales per year and a doubling in the value of produce sourced directly from Australian growers.
Shows economies of scale: Coles can sell cheaper because as a chain they can source from farmers directly. This lowers their costs of production and thus lowers consumer prices.
Target is one of a few very large clothing stores in Australia. Like an oligopolistic market, Westerfarmers must use non price determinant factors to get more consumers.
The division has boosted food and liquor sales from $21 billion to an estimated $26.5 billion this year.
Large gains in profit due to cheaper costs and more sales.
Several economists said the weak data strengthened the case for further interest rate cuts, following the ANZ forecast of another 0.75 percentage points in cuts by the end of the year.