Coles has recognised its most outstanding suppliers from throughout the country at the 2023 Coles Supplier Awards.
The awards, held in Melbourne on July 27, celebrated 16 businesses for excellence in a range of categories, with each one being recognised for their service to Coles’ customers and team members.
Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year went to Pirrone Brothers, a third-generation family business that provides Coles with eggplants, cucumbers, and zucchinis from its farm in Northern Queensland.
Peters Ice Cream won the award for Dairy, Frozen and Convenience Supplier of the Year for its performance and social impact through Coles’ programs with FightMND and Clean Up Australia.
Campari Australia was named Liquor Supplier of the Year for its customer offering, which included collaborating with Coles on a glassware loyalty drive to offer customers attractive shopping privileges while raising awareness and education about its products and pairings.
“I want to express my appreciation – and that of our 120,000 team members and millions of customers – for the support of our suppliers,” said Coles Group CEO Leah Weckert. “We’re delighted they’ve chosen to partner, build and grow their organisations with us.
“We’re committed to working together with our suppliers to help our customers come together for a meal with delicious food and drink with friends and family. Right now, we have the great opportunity to help our customers do this whilst finding value, making healthy choices and being a little more sustainable every day.”
The 2023 Coles Supplier of the Year Awards also recognised Manildra as Bakery Supplier of the Year, Mars Wrigley Mars as Product Launch of the Year, and Grove Juice as Own Brand Supplier.
Other winners were:
- Manildra – Bakery Supplier of the Year for its commitment to product innovation and formulation amends, providing healthier options while prioritising a consistent and stable supply chain.
- Cobram Estate Olives – Sustainability Partner of the Year for its focus on nature and biodiversity through mapping, fencing existing groves and planting 1000ha of natives, and developing wetlands and low-impact pest reduction strategies.
- ABC Tissues – Health and Home Supplier of the Year for increased sales and strong growth, as well as its commitment to sustainability, including removing plastic on tissue boxes.
- Witron – Supply Chain Partner of the Year for its work with Coles to deliver the supermarket company’s first Automated Distribution Centre.
- The Arnotts Group – Grocery Supplier of the Year for its customer outcomes through proprietary and Own Brand, and innovation in the health area, including the launch of Joyful bars.
- Hazledenes – Meat, Seafood and Deli Supplier of the Year for its innovative investment in growth and shared value, including investment into carbon-neutral poultry.
- Australian Vintage – ELB Supplier of the Year for its consumer-centred communications including partnerships with Justine Schofield and The Butcher’s Cellar and Meatstock association, and its commitment to sustainability through repurposing alcohol removed from non-alcoholic products.
- Ive – Service Innovation Partner of the Year for its role in an award-winning magazine and innovative solutions to resolve supply chain disruption.
- Reckitt Benckiser – Community Champion of the Year for its incredible financial contribution of $1.2 million in products donated to Foodbank.
- Mondelez – eCommunity Partner of the Year for its willingness to innovate, such as an Easter Egg spend stretch promotion which has been a major step forward in offering online customer-exclusive value.
