FEAR & GREED | Business News ACCC v Coles on misleading promos; JB HiFi surges; Taylor outlines vision
Feb 16, 2026
A competition case claims a supermarket used promotions to mask price hikes. Retailers boom as shoppers stock up on electronics and AI drives device demand. New political leadership sets out priorities on living standards and tax. A steel maker surprises shareholders with a generous payout. A candid interview revisits a high-profile political life.
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Promotions May Mask Real Price Increases
- The ACCC alleges Coles used short-term promotions to mask lasting price rises, misleading shoppers about real costs.
- The dog-food example shows a product sold at $4 for 296 days, hiked to $6 for seven days, then offered at $4.50, illustrating the complaint.
Supplier Claims Don’t Negate Consumer Impact
- Coles says price rises followed supplier requests and higher input costs, not a retail ploy to boost returns.
- The ACCC counters that regardless of reasons, advertising an item "on sale" when it's usually cheaper misleads consumers.
Watch Retail Earnings And Market Holidays
- Expect market moves around tech and retail during earnings season; watch companies like JB Hi‑Fi for consumer spending signals.
- Monitor official holidays and global closures as they affect trading volumes and sentiment.
