Latest news with #Wesfarmers
The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
Lower energy use just the beginning for retail giant
Major Australian and New Zealand retailers are primed for an energy switch following millions of dollars in federal funding to decarbonise their services. Wesfarmers, who own shops like Officeworks, Bunnings, Kmart and Coles will finance rooftop solar, battery storage, a vehicle smart charging pilot and other efficiency initiatives across stores. This comes from a $100 million commitment from government-backed Clean Energy Finance Corporation, labelled Australia's specialist climate investor. It means Wesfarmers will be able to manage energy consumption across its retail sites and make them more efficient through storage. These installed or upgraded facility changes are expected to be in effect by the end of 2025. "We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment," Wesfarmers CFO Anthony Gianotti said. A study to accelerate decarbonisation across stores will also be undertaken under the funding envelope. Adopting these initiatives is a "practical and speedy" way to cut the organisations carbon footprint, the climate investor's CEO Ian Learmonth said. "Many Australians would have enjoyed a Bunnings Saturday sausage sizzle or taken the path to Officeworks for those back-to-school necessities," he said. "At selected sites they will soon be able to add vehicle charging to their store visits while enjoying solar-powered air conditioning." Australia's retail sector accounts for 50 per cent of energy use in the commercial property sector and five per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries, virtual power plants and electric vehicles can reduce grid demand through co-ordination of their charging and discharging, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Federal energy minister Chris Bowen said the partnership will drive down emissions and lower energy costs, while providing knock-on benefits to households. "This boost in finance by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will accelerate Wesfarmers' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, make the shift to cleaner and cheaper energy and better manage energy use," he said. Major Australian and New Zealand retailers are primed for an energy switch following millions of dollars in federal funding to decarbonise their services. Wesfarmers, who own shops like Officeworks, Bunnings, Kmart and Coles will finance rooftop solar, battery storage, a vehicle smart charging pilot and other efficiency initiatives across stores. This comes from a $100 million commitment from government-backed Clean Energy Finance Corporation, labelled Australia's specialist climate investor. It means Wesfarmers will be able to manage energy consumption across its retail sites and make them more efficient through storage. These installed or upgraded facility changes are expected to be in effect by the end of 2025. "We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment," Wesfarmers CFO Anthony Gianotti said. A study to accelerate decarbonisation across stores will also be undertaken under the funding envelope. Adopting these initiatives is a "practical and speedy" way to cut the organisations carbon footprint, the climate investor's CEO Ian Learmonth said. "Many Australians would have enjoyed a Bunnings Saturday sausage sizzle or taken the path to Officeworks for those back-to-school necessities," he said. "At selected sites they will soon be able to add vehicle charging to their store visits while enjoying solar-powered air conditioning." Australia's retail sector accounts for 50 per cent of energy use in the commercial property sector and five per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries, virtual power plants and electric vehicles can reduce grid demand through co-ordination of their charging and discharging, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Federal energy minister Chris Bowen said the partnership will drive down emissions and lower energy costs, while providing knock-on benefits to households. "This boost in finance by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will accelerate Wesfarmers' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, make the shift to cleaner and cheaper energy and better manage energy use," he said. Major Australian and New Zealand retailers are primed for an energy switch following millions of dollars in federal funding to decarbonise their services. Wesfarmers, who own shops like Officeworks, Bunnings, Kmart and Coles will finance rooftop solar, battery storage, a vehicle smart charging pilot and other efficiency initiatives across stores. This comes from a $100 million commitment from government-backed Clean Energy Finance Corporation, labelled Australia's specialist climate investor. It means Wesfarmers will be able to manage energy consumption across its retail sites and make them more efficient through storage. These installed or upgraded facility changes are expected to be in effect by the end of 2025. "We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment," Wesfarmers CFO Anthony Gianotti said. A study to accelerate decarbonisation across stores will also be undertaken under the funding envelope. Adopting these initiatives is a "practical and speedy" way to cut the organisations carbon footprint, the climate investor's CEO Ian Learmonth said. "Many Australians would have enjoyed a Bunnings Saturday sausage sizzle or taken the path to Officeworks for those back-to-school necessities," he said. "At selected sites they will soon be able to add vehicle charging to their store visits while enjoying solar-powered air conditioning." Australia's retail sector accounts for 50 per cent of energy use in the commercial property sector and five per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries, virtual power plants and electric vehicles can reduce grid demand through co-ordination of their charging and discharging, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Federal energy minister Chris Bowen said the partnership will drive down emissions and lower energy costs, while providing knock-on benefits to households. "This boost in finance by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will accelerate Wesfarmers' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, make the shift to cleaner and cheaper energy and better manage energy use," he said. Major Australian and New Zealand retailers are primed for an energy switch following millions of dollars in federal funding to decarbonise their services. Wesfarmers, who own shops like Officeworks, Bunnings, Kmart and Coles will finance rooftop solar, battery storage, a vehicle smart charging pilot and other efficiency initiatives across stores. This comes from a $100 million commitment from government-backed Clean Energy Finance Corporation, labelled Australia's specialist climate investor. It means Wesfarmers will be able to manage energy consumption across its retail sites and make them more efficient through storage. These installed or upgraded facility changes are expected to be in effect by the end of 2025. "We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment," Wesfarmers CFO Anthony Gianotti said. A study to accelerate decarbonisation across stores will also be undertaken under the funding envelope. Adopting these initiatives is a "practical and speedy" way to cut the organisations carbon footprint, the climate investor's CEO Ian Learmonth said. "Many Australians would have enjoyed a Bunnings Saturday sausage sizzle or taken the path to Officeworks for those back-to-school necessities," he said. "At selected sites they will soon be able to add vehicle charging to their store visits while enjoying solar-powered air conditioning." Australia's retail sector accounts for 50 per cent of energy use in the commercial property sector and five per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries, virtual power plants and electric vehicles can reduce grid demand through co-ordination of their charging and discharging, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Federal energy minister Chris Bowen said the partnership will drive down emissions and lower energy costs, while providing knock-on benefits to households. "This boost in finance by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will accelerate Wesfarmers' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, make the shift to cleaner and cheaper energy and better manage energy use," he said.
Perth Now
8 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Lower energy use just the beginning for retail giant
Major Australian and New Zealand retailers are primed for an energy switch following millions of dollars in federal funding to decarbonise their services. Wesfarmers, who own shops like Officeworks, Bunnings, Kmart and Coles will finance rooftop solar, battery storage, a vehicle smart charging pilot and other efficiency initiatives across stores. This comes from a $100 million commitment from government-backed Clean Energy Finance Corporation, labelled Australia's specialist climate investor. It means Wesfarmers will be able to manage energy consumption across its retail sites and make them more efficient through storage. These installed or upgraded facility changes are expected to be in effect by the end of 2025. "We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment," Wesfarmers CFO Anthony Gianotti said. A study to accelerate decarbonisation across stores will also be undertaken under the funding envelope. Adopting these initiatives is a "practical and speedy" way to cut the organisations carbon footprint, the climate investor's CEO Ian Learmonth said. "Many Australians would have enjoyed a Bunnings Saturday sausage sizzle or taken the path to Officeworks for those back-to-school necessities," he said. "At selected sites they will soon be able to add vehicle charging to their store visits while enjoying solar-powered air conditioning." Australia's retail sector accounts for 50 per cent of energy use in the commercial property sector and five per cent of the nation's greenhouse gas emissions. Batteries, virtual power plants and electric vehicles can reduce grid demand through co-ordination of their charging and discharging, the Australian Energy Market Operator said. Federal energy minister Chris Bowen said the partnership will drive down emissions and lower energy costs, while providing knock-on benefits to households. "This boost in finance by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will accelerate Wesfarmers' efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, make the shift to cleaner and cheaper energy and better manage energy use," he said.
The Guardian
17 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Australian government loans $100m to install EV chargers and solar panels at Bunnings and Officeworks stores
Wesfarmers has secured a $100m loan with the government's Clean Energy Finance Corporation to install more solar panels, batteries and EV chargers at its Bunnings and Officeworks stores. The chief executive of the CEFC, Ian Learmonth, said he hoped the financing package at the high-profile stores would help create a 'ripple effect' through the commercial sector, where the uptake of rooftop solar has been slower than across residential properties. The financing package, to be paid back by Wesfarmers over seven years at a competitive interest rate, would help accelerate the group's decarbonisation plans, Learmonth said. 'As a leading Australian company with these household brand names, we can provide them with competitive finance that's allowing them to meet a business case to deliver roof top solar, battery storage, various energy efficiency initiatives and putting EV chargers in,' he said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'There is potential growth in the commercial and industrial sectors. When people see Bunnings and Officeworks doing this, it adds a ripple effect where other large companies can be influenced by seeing what these companies are doing, and seeing their car parks with EV chargers.' He said large industrial roof spaces had not been as well utilised with solar panels as households, sometimes because either structurally the roofs were not strong enough, or agreements were complicated between tenants and building owners. He said: 'This is a great opportunity where we have the owner and operator – Wesfarmers – that we can work with.' The CEFC, with access to $32bn of government money, is a green bank that provides financing and loans to accelerate decarbonisation. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion Australia's retail sector accounts for half of the energy use of all commercial properties and 5% of the country's emissions. CEFC said the solar and battery installations could also help to stabilise the country's electricity grid. Storing solar electricity in batteries to use in evening peaks, for example, can help even out power demand at times of higher electricity use. The executive director at the CEFC, Richard Lovell, said: 'By focusing on using its existing building assets to support renewable energy generation and energy storage, which are crucial for energy demand management, Wesfarmers continues to execute its active decarbonisation strategy to reduce its direct emissions.' Bunnings, Officeworks and WesCEF all have targets to reach net zero direct emissions by 2030, and to use 100% renewable electricity by the end of 2025. Wesfarmers will also use part of the CEFC finance to fund a study at its chemicals, energy and fertiliser business, WesCEF, into decarbonising the production of sodium cyanide – a chemical used in gold production. Work to install and upgrade facilities at Bunnings and Officeworks sites is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Wesfarmers chief financial officer, Anthony Gianotti, said the company welcomed the backing of the CEFC. 'We have long managed our businesses with climate and carbon awareness and we are committed to continuing to take action to reduce our impact on the environment.'
West Australian
03-06-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Wesfarmers appoints Kmart and Target boss John Gualtieri as new Officeworks CEO
WA conglomerate Wesfarmers has switched Kmart and Target boss John Gualtieri into the top job at Officeworks, where he will succeed Sarah Hunter. Ms Hunter hands over to Mr Gualtieri in August after 15 years with the group — including the past six years at the helm of Officeworks — saying 'now is the right time for me to take on a new challenge'. As CEO of Kmart and Target, Mr Gualtieri currently reports to new Kmart Group managing director Aleks Spaseska. He joined Kmart in 2008 as the divisional merchandise manager for the home division and has held a number of senior roles in the business. In 2016, Mr Gualtieri was appointed as Kmart chief operating officer and in 2021, was promoted as CEO. Two years later, when Target was folded into Kmart, he became the CEO of both businesses. Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott said Mr Gualtieri was a retailer with proven capabilities and experience leading large teams and delivering strong commercial outcomes. Before joining Kmart, Mr Gualtieri spent 20 years at department store Myer in various operational roles. 'John has been an outstanding leader at Kmart Group, helping drive the transformation of Kmart since he joined the business in 2008,' Mr Scott said. 'John's deep retail and commercial experience, coupled with his leadership skills, will take Officeworks into its next phase of growth. 'John joins Officeworks at an exciting time, with the business focused on strengthening its omnichannel customer experience, transforming its technology offer and scaling its business-to-business operations.' Mr Scott also acknowledged Ms Hunter's significant contribution to the group. 'For more than six years, Sarah has played a pivotal role in driving Officeworks' evolution and growth,' he said. 'Under her leadership, Officeworks has continued to grow and diversify the customer offer.' Ms Hunter was appointed to the top job in 2019. She was previously the director of the demerger program at supermarket Coles, where she oversaw its separation from Wesfarmers in 2018. 'It has been a privilege to lead Officeworks. Since 2019, we have grown revenue by over 8 per cent per annum and made good progress on our strategic agenda,' Ms Hunter said. Mr Gualtieri's appointment is the latest reshuffle for Wesfarmers. In December, it announced Ms Spaseska — then Kmart Group's chief financial officer — would take over from long-serving Kmart Group managing director Ian Bailey. Mr Bailey was credited with rescuing the brand from a near-death experience and turning its house brand Anko into an Australian retail success story. The West Australian last year revealed Anko was trialling standalone stores in the Philippines as part of the group's push into international markets. Wesfarmers shares were up 0.8 per cent to $84.06 just before 10am on Tuesday.
News.com.au
28-05-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Kmart trialling new layout as part of plans to double sales to $20bn
Kmart is trialling a new layout of its stores as part of the discount chain's latest plans to double sales by 'luring in Gen Z and Gen Alpha shoppers' and making them 'spend more'. The Australian retail giant's new managing director, Aleks Spaseska, recently outlined her aim to grow the business' current $11.1 billion turnover to over $20 billion by focusing on younger customers and expanding its most popular ranges. Ms Spaseska, who at 41 became the youngest divisional head at the conglomerate when she was appointed in April, said the 'biggest difference' to the layout is in the apparel and beauty sections. She said the overhaul will make shopping easier for Kmart customers. 'If you go into women's apparel today, you'll see we mostly sell all the tops together, the bottoms together, the dresses together. If you think about the way our merchants put the ranges together, it's a brand-new outfit,' she said at a recent Wesfarmers expansion strategy event, SMH reports. 'When you walk the store in the new format, there's much more co-ordination through women's apparel, which allows customers to be much more inspired and helps with outfit building … We've also brought beauty to the front of the store as well.' To make way for more clothing and beauty items on the shop floor, bulkier products such as bikes and furniture will moved to the back of the store, where customers can request and buy an item through a digital 'select and collect' screen. Brisbane's Mount Gravatt store was the first to try out the 'brand new store format' following a major refurbishment last year, but Ms Spaseska said four more stores are set to be overhauled in the coming month. If successful, all 325 Kmart stores across the country will be refigured – with early results in Mount Gravatt reportedly showing a promising start. 'Those results have been stronger sales, particularly in apparel, and really pleasingly, we're seeing customers because of changes to the flow of the store, shop much more,' Ms Spaseska said. understands the planned store refurbishments will aim to incorporate learnings from the trial in Mount Gravatt, and will be based on optimising return on space and improving the shopping experience. Feedback from the recent Eastland store overhaul will also be used as part of the ongoing strategic focus after it trialled moving centralised checkouts in October 2023 following years of complains. The cash registers were relocated from the centre of the Melbourne location to the exits, prompting many consumers to react with joy. 'Absolutely genius! Who would have thought?!' one user lamented. 'This is how it was all the time… never should have changed,' another scoffed. 'OMG. Revolutionary,' someone else mused. Kmart first began moving its cash registers from the entrance into the middle of stores back in 2012. By 2018, almost every store in the country had the layout, with many shoppers labelling the move 'confusing' and 'dumb'. Kmart is also opening a new $200 million distribution centre in Sydney's west that will begin operating in late 2027, the AFR reports. The 100,000 square metre venue will be used for stores and online orders for both Target and Kmart to replenish products faster, improve availability and reduce costs. Wesfarmers, which merged Target and Kmart into a dual-brand retail giant in 2023, now sells more than 1 billion of its own brand Anko items – from linen to fashion and toys – in Australia each year. Ms Spaseska recently started trialling stand-alone Anko stores in the Philippines, where it is hoping to target a growing middle-class and already has two outlets. Three more are set to open by the end of the year, and if successful, the company may roll out stores across the region, Ms Spaseska said.
