Shoppers want new supermarket at Westfield Knox to break Coles monopoly

Kate Ashley-Griffiths
June 24, 2013
Knox Leader

SHOPPERS are calling for a new supermarket at Westfield Knox to break Coles’ monopoly on the centre.

Shoppers have used the centre’s Facebook page to urge centre managers Westfield to seek a rival for Coles, which has two full-sized supermarkets within metres of one another.

Consumer watchdog CHOICE described it as “weird”.

Spokesman Tom Godfrey said he was not aware of another centre anywhere with two of the same supermarket operating under the one roof to the exclusion of a competitor.

“Prices might be going ‘down, down’, but this is not the best deal of the day,” Mr Godfrey said.

Ferntree Gully shopper Beryl Knight, 69, said it was “pathetic”.

“It’s so bad – they’ve got no competition at all,” Ms Knight said.

Others have also urged Westfield, which took over management of the centre last year, to get another supermarket into the centre.

Lorraine Davies said in a post via the Westfield Knox Facebook page: “Glad to hear Westfield that you have taken over Knox City.

“Does that mean we can have Safeway, Aldi and Big W in the ­complex?”

But Coles has no plans to close either of its stores at Westfield Knox, which would open up a retail space for a competitor.

Communications co-ordinator Evie Ridgway said the old Bi-Lo supermarket at Knox was rebranded as a Coles supermarket more than six years ago, which meant there were two stores and both would remain “for the foreseeable future”.

“Coles has been committed to serving our customers in Knox with quality produce and great value for many years,” she said in a brief written statement.

A spokeswoman for the Australian Consumer and Competition Commission (ACCC) said it was not a matter for the commission.

A Westfield spokeswoman said the unusual situation had come about as a result of the rebranding of all Bi-Lo stores.

She said one of the Coles’ leases was due to expire next year but could not comment on whether it would continue to be held by Coles or offered to another supermarket.