ACCC delays Busselton store decision

Australia’s competition regulator has delayed a decision on the sale of the Busselton Progressive Supa IGA store to Coles, after the supermarket giant requested more time to provide information.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced yesterday it would not oppose the sale of three Progressive Supa IGA supermarkets to Coles in Bunbury, Halls Head and Dianella.

ACCC Commissioner Jill Walker said there was at least one large independent competitor in all three markets around those stores.

However, the regulator withheld its decision on the sale of the Busselton Supa IGA.

Dr Walker said they would reconsider the proposal when they received extra information from Coles.

In a statement of issues released in July, the ACCC said the sale would likely result in less competition in Busselton.

It said the Supa IGA was the only large supermarket which sourced from local producers and it also stocked products from regional areas which were not available in Coles or Woolworths.

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