Coles has named the winners of its annual Supplier Partner Awards, recognising and celebrating its suppliers for their dedication to providing great quality food, drinks and groceries around the country.
The Coles Supplier Partner Awards event celebrates the contributions of Coles suppliers across various categories including meat, seafood and deli, fresh produce, bakery, liquor, supply chain, community champion, sustainability and ecommerce.
The evening’s most coveted award, Product Launch of the Year, went to The Arnott’s Group (feature image) for its Tim Tam inspired by Jatz crackers. Initially launched as an April Fool’s prank, the biscuit went viral on social media and became Arnott’s most successful ‘Only at Coles’ initiative.
Rock Ridge Fresh (pictured above) was named Fresh Supplier of the Year for its commitment to growing avocados, ensuring consistent availability for Coles customers. With meticulous attention to detail throughout the growing, packing and ripening process, Rock Ridge Fresh delivers fresh produce with year-round supply.
Mondelez received the Community Champion of the Year award for its support of Coles major charity partners, SecondBite and FightMND. The organisation contributed one million equivalent meals to the Coles SecondBite Christmas appeal, supporting those facing food insecurity. In addition, Mondelez committed $250,000 to the FightMND campaign, funding research and care initiatives for Australians living with motor neurone disease.
Coles chief commercial officer, Anna Croft said she was delighted to honour supplier partners for their hard work and dedication throughout the year.
“We deeply value the partnerships we have with our suppliers – some that we have enjoyed for many decades. Whether it’s across fresh food, packaged groceries, liquor or ecommerce, we are proud to work alongside such talented and devoted partners. Their creativity, expertise and commitment to the industry help deliver on our purpose to help Australians eat and live better every day,” she said.
Additional winners of the 2024 Coles Supplier of the Year Awards are:
- Bakery Supplier of the Year – Lantmannen
- Dairy, Frozen and Convenience Supplier of the Year – McCain
- Digital Commerce Partner of the Year – PepsiCo
- Digital Service Partner of the Year – Hanshow Australia
- Grocery Supplier of the Year – Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
- Health and Home Supplier of the Year – L’founders of Loyalty
- Liquor Supplier of the Year – Lion
- Meat, Seafood and Deli Supplier of the Year – MAP WA
- Own Brand Supplier of the Year – New Yifa Group
- Service Innovation Partner of the Year – Achievers
- Supply Chain Partner of the Year – TMX and Acceture
- Sustainability Supplier of the Year – Hewitt Foods
Photo credit: Pat Brunet / Event Photos Australia.