Episode #132 - From 1 July Coles Will Have to Justify Their Price, Then They'll Start With Yours

A massive shift is hitting Australian retail. Under the mandatory food and grocery code of conduct, Coles and Woolworths are legally required to justify their shelf prices to regulators based on a strict standard: cost of supply plus a reasonable margin.

But if you think this law stays at the checkout, you are missing the real commercial threat.

The pressure is about to travel directly into the range review room. When a retailer has to prove their numbers to the ACCC, the very first thing they will do is demand that you justify yours.

In this episode, we break down exactly how this law changes your next buyer negotiation, the critical question your current price list can't answer, and why this "justification framework" is about to spread far beyond the grocery sector into mining, construction, and manufacturing.

⏱️ Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – The hidden consequence of the new pricing laws.

• 00:29 – The $10M ACCC penalty: Cost of supply vs. reasonable margin.

• 01:40 – Why the commercial logic forces buyers to audit your supply chain.

• 02:53 – What happens in a range review when a supplier isn't ready.

• 04:37 – Why offering a discount is actually an admission of defeat.

• 05:36 – How to defend your margin without using "cost-plus" pricing.

• 07:22 – B2B Warning: Why this pricing question will travel to other industries.

• 09:05 – A price without a reason is just a discount waiting to happen.

#ColesAndWoolworths #ACCC #PricingStrategy #FMCG #RangeReview #B2BNegotiation #SupplyChain #AustralianBusiness #MarginProtection #PodcastEpisode132