Coles cautions coronavirus could hit its massive supply chain overhaul

Uncertainty over equipment delays coming out of China. Australian grocery and liquor giant Coles has cautioned that its giant supply chain transformation could be hit by equipment delivery delays because the coronavirus in China, though the digitally-powered transformation slated to shave $1 billion is still officially on track – for the time being. Speaking to Coles’ 2020 half-year results, chief financial officer Leah Weckert said that while Coles had “further progressed payments on the supply chain modernisation program”, there were some questions on shipping times. “It is worth noting there is uncertainty around the coronavirus delaying some renewal equipment being shipped out of China which may impact the renewal program,” Weckert said.