Garry Rich

Coles has told a court that its decision to change its discount policies was unsurprising during a period of significant inflation, denying claims by the ACCC that its ‘Down Down’ promotions were misleading.

Coles increased prices on hundreds of products only as part of a plan to later mark them with a ‘Down Down’ promotion, despite the price being lower only weeks before, the ACCC has argued.

Another Coles manager has faced questioning in a case alleging the supermarket giant's 'Down Down' campaign was illusory, admitting the "only reason" for a four-week price jump on quince paste was to enable a discount. 

The ACCC has attacked the evidence at trial of a Coles manager who signed off on an alleged misleading discount on dog food, which was sold at a lower price just seven days earlier.

The former manager of biscuits and cookies at Coles has faced cross-examination by the ACCC over marking Arnott’s Shapes with a 'Down Down' discount, despite the price being 50 cents less four weeks prior. 

Facing claims it misled customers with its 'Down Down' pricing, Coles has urged the court not to second guess its judgment, but a judge overseeing the case has said competitive pressures do not excuse misleading promotions.

Coles changed its marketing policies after being concerned it could not compete with Woolworths, a court has heard on the first day of trial in the consumer regulator’s case over the supermarket's “utterly misleading” discounts.

A hearing on the relief Fortnite maker Epic Games is entitled to in its successful competition case against Google and Apple could be affected by a hearing on a worldwide settlement reached by Google, a judge has said.

Orders proposed by Apple after a judge’s finding that the digital giant and rival Google engaged in anti-competitive conduct would “rob the court’s findings of their detail, their efficacy and their bite”, Epic Games has said.

Real estate asset manager Dexus has won access to advice given by the lawyers of two shareholders of airport operator APAC over an alleged breach of a shareholder deed.