Founded in 1914 in the suburb of Collingwood by Sir George Coles, the company currently operates 846[3] supermarkets throughout Australia, including several now-re-branded Bi-Lo stores.

Further expansion occurred and Coles' interest in food retailing was spurred in 1958 when it acquired 54 John Connell Dickins grocery stores.

[8] In 1960, the first supermarket (trading under the Dickins name) was opened in the Melbourne suburb of Balwyn North, at the corner of Burke and Doncaster Roads where a modernised version continues to operate.

With Coles Myer CEO John Fletcher citing the move for better efficiency between the food and liquor departments.

Newmart stores co-located with Coles in the same area or shopping centre were sold to Foodland and re-branded as the now-defunct Action Supermarkets chain.

[20] In the second half of 2024, two highly-automated 87,000-square-metre (940,000 sq ft) customer fulfilment centres powered by Ocado technology were opened in Truganina, Victoria and Wetherill Park, New South Wales.

[21][22] A second Witron distribution centre was opened in Kemps Creek, New South Wales in August 2024,[23] and construction of a third in Truganina was announced in October 2024.

[9] In 2010, Coles launched a new sub-slogan, "Down Down, Prices Are Down", featuring a large red cartoon hand pointing downwards to symbolise the chain's low-price policy.

The station is also available outside stores via Coles' website, the Nova Player app and on DAB+ digital radio, making it accessible in many newer car models.

[35] Coles and Woolworths, the two largest supermarket chains in Australia responsible for controlling over two thirds of the market share, have recently come under fire on accusations of price gouging.

They have also been accused of allegedly forcing suppliers to increase their supplies in order to buy goods at lower prices, during a time which the economy is at the brink of entering a recession and people are facing a cost of living crisis.

[37] A 2014 Federal Court of Australia case ruled that Coles "threatened harm to suppliers if they didn't meet their demands," and ordered the chain to pay $10 million in penalties.

[38] In 2015, the Federal Court of Australia fined Coles $2.5 million for making misleading claims in relation to the sale of its par-baked bread products.

[39] In September 2024, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission brought legal action against Coles, accusing the supermarket of misleading customers on discounts through their Down Down promotions.