Coles has recognised Australian businesses which have driven innovation, sustainability and community support in a year punctuated by floods, supply chain challenges and the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the 2022 Coles Supplier Partner Awards held in Melbourne last week, Coles recognised 16 businesses for excellence in providing merchandise and services across Coles' business amid often difficult circumstances.
Norco and Bulla were awarded joint winners of the Community Champion Award for providing support to the Lismore community and to Coles customers in the wake of one of the nation's worst flood disasters.
Mondelez took out the Product of the Year Award for its Curtis Stone' Cadbury Dairy Milk Caramel Slice Block, which was the biggest-ever launch of a product in the confectionery category at Coles.
The Marriott family near Benalla was announced Coles Sustainability Partner of the Year for its role in measuring and mapping its carbon footprint as part of the launch of Coles' new carbon neutral beef range.
Coles CEO Steven Cain thanked supplier partners for their support over the last year and congratulated the winners on their commitment to innovation, sustainability and inspiring Coles' customers.
"Amid the challenges of floods, supply chain disruptions and COVID-19, our supplier partners have shown incredible commitment, resilience and collaboration," he said.
"As part of our ambition to be Australia's most sustainable supermarket, we have made significant progress thanks to strong collaboration from our supplier partners focussed on innovation around sustainability, health, convenience and value."
Additional winners of the 2022 Coles Supplier of the Year Awards are:
- Australian Bakels, which won the Coles Own Brand Supplier of the Year Award for its commitment to high quality ingredients, R&D and innovation which has resulted in the creation of the new Dreams Crumb True Cookie range.
- Buonissimo, which won the Coles Bakery, Deli and Seafood Supplier of the Year Award for leading innovation in the sweet treat areas of bakery, with the launch of the new Dreams Crumb True Cupcakes, which are exclusive to Coles.
- CLX, which won the Coles Service Innovation Partner of the Year Award for partnering with Coles to enhance the checkout experience for customers, including-installing new checkouts, scales and analytics.
- Cobram Estate, which won the Coles Grocery Supplier of the Year Award for its commitment to sustainability in its production of Australian olive oil and its collaboration to provide trusted value and healthy choices to Coles customers.
- Costa Vertical Farming, which won the Coles Fresh Produce Supplier of the Year Award for driving consumption of mushrooms and tomatoes at a time when both products have been in short supply.
- Linfox Logistics, which won Supply Chain Partner of the Year Award for providing outstanding support and innovative solutions to ensure the delivery of goods through the challenges of extreme floods, rail closures and COVID-19.
- Mondelez which won the Coles Express Supplier of the Year Award for product innovation and inspiring customers through campaigns such as its "100 year" and "Hidden Ticket" promotions.
- PDP Foods, which won the Coles Dairy, Freezer and Convenience Supplier of the Year Award for its new and innovative range of 18 dairy desserts and commitment to inspire customers with convenient, ready-to-eat options.
- Procter and Gamble, which won the Coles Non-Food Supplier of the Year Award for its offer of exclusive products under brands like Gillette, Oral-B, Fairy and Downy, and continuing to lead the way on eCommerce.
- Samuel Smith & Son and Negociants Australia, which won the Coles Liquor Supplier of the Year Award for working to expand Coles Liquor's local offer, launch another 10 new local products and co-create 15 new exclusive wines.
- Teys, a beef processor in Queensland, which won the Coles Meat Supplier of the Year Award for driving innovation in pet food, leading sustainability initiatives and building capability to increase shelf life for customers.
- Unilever, which won E-Commerce Supplier of the Year Award for its support of Coles Online over the past 12 months and close collaboration to drive growth and enhance the shopping experience for Coles' customers.
