The Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) share price is in focus after the company reported a 3.1% rise in group sales revenue for the third quarter of FY26, led by above-market growth in its Supermarkets division and a robust 24.8% increase in eCommerce sales.
What did Coles Group report?
- Total group sales revenue rose 3.1% to $10,703 million for the 12 weeks ending 29 March 2026
- Supermarkets sales revenue reached $9,781 million, up 4.0% year-on-year
- Supermarkets comparable sales increased 3.6%; excluding tobacco, sales grew 5.7%
- eCommerce sales jumped 24.8% to $1,327 million, boosting online penetration to 13.6%
- Liquor sales revenue fell 3.9% to $781 million, with comparable sales down 4.3%
- Other segment revenue was $141 million, relating to the Product Supply Agreement with Viva Energy
What else do investors need to know?
Coles’ Supermarkets continued to outperform the market, driven by volume-led growth, new product launches, and strong customer engagement in promotional campaigns. The company renewed 17 supermarkets and opened two new locations, further growing its national presence.
Despite challenges in the Liquor divisionâwhere sales fell and trading conditions remained toughâColes reported rising customer satisfaction and higher Flybuys engagement, crediting expanded partnerships and streamlined store banners for improved customer experiences. The group now counts 10.3 million active Flybuys members and saw a 75% increase in Coles Plus and Saver subscriptions.
What did Coles management say?
Chief Executive Officer Leah Weckert said:
We delivered another strong sales result reflecting the strength of our customer offer and disciplined execution against our strategic priorities. Achieving consistent sales momentum for the period over multiple years demonstrates our commitment to remaining focused on long term outcomes whilst successfully navigating short term volatility in market conditions and supply chains.
What’s next for Coles?
Coles expects to maintain supermarket sales growth in the early fourth quarter, with a continued focus on offering value to customers as cost-of-living pressures persist. The business is actively managing rising operational costs such as fuel, freight, and packaging, aiming to balance customer affordability with supplier relationships.
In Liquor, softer consumer sentiment is expected to keep sales and earnings under pressure for the rest of the half. The company will continue investing in its own brand portfolio, eCommerce capabilities, and supply chain to meet shifting customer needs and position itself for long-term resilience.
Coles Group share price snapshot
Over the past 12 months, Coles shares have risen 3%, trailing the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) which has risen 6% over the same period.
The post Coles Group shares in focus after Q3 FY26 sales rise 3.1% appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.
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