Wesfarmers

Wesfarmers is a diversified Australian conglomerate headquartered in Perth, Western Australia. Although its origins lie in a farmer-owned cooperative, the group has developed into one of Australia's largest listed companies, with principal interests in retail, chemicals, energy, fertilisers, industrial supplies, workplace safety and healthcare. Its best-known businesses include Bunnings, Kmart Australia and New Zealand, Target, Officeworks, Blackwoods, Workwear Group and Wesfarmers Health. The organisation was established in 1914 as Westralian Farmers Co-operative Limited by the Farmers' and Settlers' Association of Western Australia. Its initial purpose was practical and regional: to acquire the assets of the West Australian Producers' Union and supply merchandise, services and market access to farming communities. During its early decades, Wesfarmers operated across agricultural distribution, grain and produce exporting, wool and livestock auctions, insurance, transport and fuel distribution. This broad operating base gave the cooperative experience in logistics, procurement and regional retailing. Wesfarmers' transformation accelerated through acquisitions. It took control of CSBP, a Western Australian chemicals and fertiliser business, in the late 1970s and completed the purchase of BP's remaining interest in 1986. In 1984, the cooperative was restructured as Wesfarmers Limited and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange. The company subsequently expanded beyond its rural foundation through investments in home improvement, department stores, transport, coal, insurance and other industrial activities. Bunnings became a central pillar of the group. Wesfarmers first acquired a minority interest in 1987 and obtained full ownership in 1994. Bunnings now operates home improvement and outdoor-living stores serving household, trade and commercial customers in Australia and New Zealand. Wesfarmers also built a major general-merchandise portfolio through its acquisition of the Coles Group in 2007. That transaction brought Coles supermarkets, Kmart and Target into the group, but Wesfarmers later separated Coles through a demerger completed in 2018 and sold its remaining Coles holding in 2023. The portfolio has continued to change through divestments and new investments. Wesfarmers sold its coal assets, including its interest in the Bengalla joint venture, in 2018. It exited most insurance operations in 2014 and had previously sold its transport business. At the same time, it expanded into digital commerce through the acquisition of Catch Group in 2019 and into healthcare through the purchase of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries in 2022. Wesfarmers Health later agreed to acquire InstantScripts and entered pharmacy and beauty retail initiatives. The group is managed as a portfolio of operating businesses rather than as a single consumer-facing product brand. Its corporate positioning centres on long-term ownership, disciplined capital allocation, operational improvement and the development of businesses with strong market positions. In the 2025 financial year, the company reported revenue of A$45.7 billion according to the cited reference material and employed approximately 118,000 people. Wesfarmers' current identity is therefore defined by a combination of large-scale Australian retail brands and specialised industrial businesses, supported by a holding-company model and a history of selective acquisitions, restructurings and disposals.

Wesfarmers began in 1914 as Westralian Farmers Co-operative Limited, established by Western Australia's Farmers' and Settlers' Association to provide rural communities with merchandise, services and commercial representation. The organisation acquired the assets of the West Australian Producers' Union and developed an agency network that included more than 65 local cooperative companies by 1919. Its early activities covered agricultural supplies, grain and produce, livestock and wool auctions, exporting, insurance and transport. In 1924, the organisation established 6WF, an early public radio station in Western Australia; the station was later transferred to the Australian Broadcasting Commission. By the 1940s, Westralian Farmers had a broad regional trading and distribution footprint. Its transport interests expanded through the acquisition of Ashburton Transport in 1949 and Gascoyne Trading Company in 1950. The latter helped establish refrigerated transport and regular road-train services between the state's northwest and Perth. A major strategic shift occurred with the acquisition of a controlling interest in CSBP in 1979. CSBP connected the cooperative to chemicals and fertiliser manufacturing and became an important foundation for the later Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers division. In 1984, Westralian Farmers Co-operative Limited created Wesfarmers Limited, converted from a cooperative structure to a public company and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on 15 November. Cooperative members initially retained majority control, but Wesfarmers became freely traded in 2001. The company pursued substantial diversification during the 1980s and 1990s. It completed the acquisition of CSBP from BP in 1986, bought an initial interest in Bunnings in 1987 and acquired full ownership in 1994. Its rural agency operations were combined with Dalgety Farmers in 1993 and later renamed Wesfarmers Landmark. Landmark was sold to AWB in 2003. Wesfarmers also participated in the Australian Railroad Group, formed around the acquisition of Westrail, before selling that interest in 2006. In 2007, Wesfarmers completed the A$22 billion acquisition of Coles Group, then Australia's largest corporate takeover. The transaction brought Coles supermarkets and related retail operations, as well as Kmart and Target, into the group. Managing such a large food and general-merchandise portfolio became a defining challenge of the following decade. Wesfarmers ultimately separated Coles through a demerger completed in November 2018, initially retaining a minority holding and disposing of its remaining shares by 2023. The group also restructured its industrial and resource portfolio. It acquired the Workwear Group from Pacific Brands in 2014 and sold its insurance broking, premium-funding and underwriting operations during the same year. Wesfarmers divested its coal interests in 2018, completing the exit with the sale of its stake in the Bengalla joint venture. The company continued to hold and develop chemicals, fertiliser, gas, industrial supply and safety businesses. Bunnings' attempted international expansion produced one of the group's most significant strategic setbacks. Wesfarmers bought the British home-improvement chain Homebase in 2016 and began converting stores to the Bunnings format in 2017. The rollout underperformed, and Wesfarmers sold the Homebase business to Hilco Capital in 2018 at a substantial loss. Bunnings remained focused on Australia and New Zealand thereafter. During the 2010s and 2020s, Wesfarmers expanded its digital and healthcare capabilities. It acquired online retailer Catch Group in 2019 and Australian Pharmaceutical Industries in 2022, creating Wesfarmers Health. Subsequent initiatives included the proposed acquisition of InstantScripts, the launch of the Atomica beauty-store pilot and the 2025 acquisition of the Pharmacy 4 Less Group. Wesfarmers also announced the closure of Catch.com.au in 2025. The modern group is therefore a portfolio owner whose principal scale comes from Australian and New Zealand retail, complemented by industrial, chemical, safety and healthcare operations.

• 2022

  Wesfarmers Health established

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  The acquisition of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries formed the core of a new healthcare division.

• 2019

  Catch Group acquired

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  The group bought Catch to strengthen its digital commerce portfolio.

• 2018

  Coles demerged and coal divestment completed

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers separated Coles through a demerger and completed the sale of its Bengalla interest.

• 2007

  Coles Group acquired

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers completed the A$22 billion acquisition of Coles Group, bringing Coles, Kmart and Target into its portfolio.

• 1994

  Bunnings becomes wholly owned

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers completed the purchase of the remaining Bunnings interests.

• 1987

  Initial Bunnings investment

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers acquired an initial 10 percent interest in Bunnings.

• 1984

  Conversion to public company and ASX listing

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers Limited was formed and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange on 15 November.

• 1979

  CSBP acquisition begins chemicals expansion

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Wesfarmers acquired a controlling interest in CSBP, creating a major platform in chemicals and fertilisers.

• 1924

  6WF radio station established

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Westralian Farmers established an early public radio station in Western Australia, later transferred to the national broadcaster.

• 1914

  Westralian Farmers cooperative established

  [1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  The Farmers' and Settlers' Association of Western Australia formed Westralian Farmers Co-operative Limited to serve the state's rural communities.

A diversified Australian corporate group combining dominant retail platforms with specialised chemicals, energy, industrial, safety and healthcare businesses.

• Home improvement retail

  Bunnings

  Bunnings is Wesfarmers' home-improvement and outdoor-living retailer in Australia and New Zealand. Its network includes warehouse stores, smaller-format outlets and trade centres. The business serves household consumers, tradespeople and commercial customers with building materials, hardware, garden products, tools and related services. Bunnings is one of the group's most important operating businesses and the principal surviving international retail platform after the disposal of Homebase.

• Discount department-store retail

  Kmart

  Kmart Australia and New Zealand operates discount department stores selling apparel, homewares, toys, general merchandise and other everyday products. It joined Wesfarmers through the 2007 Coles Group acquisition and became an important high-volume, value-oriented retail brand. Kmart Tyre & Auto was formerly associated with the business but was sold separately and rebranded as MyCar.

• Department-store retail

  Target

  Target Australia is a mid-market department-store chain acquired with Coles Group. It has no corporate connection to the United States retailer with the same name. Within Wesfarmers' portfolio, Target occupies a more traditional department-store position than Kmart, offering apparel, home, toys and general merchandise.

• Office-products retail

  Officeworks

  Officeworks supplies office, technology, stationery and school products to households, businesses and educational institutions in Australia. Its model combines physical stores, business supply and online channels. In 2019, the group added Geeks2U, an Australian provider of on-site information and communications technology services, broadening the offer beyond product retail.

• Chemicals and industrial manufacturing

  Wesfarmers Chemicals, Energy & Fertilisers

  WesCEF produces and markets chemicals, fertilisers and energy products. Its businesses and investments include CSBP, Australian Vinyls, Kleenheat, Modwood, Evol LNG, Australian Gold Reagents, Queensland Nitrates and Covalent Lithium. Operations include ammonia, ammonium nitrate, sodium cyanide, PVC resin, LPG, LNG and fertiliser production or distribution.

• Industrial and workplace supplies

  Industrial and Safety

  Wesfarmers' industrial and safety portfolio supplies workplace equipment, industrial products, personal protective equipment, gas and safety services across Australia and New Zealand. Key operations include Blackwoods, NZ Safety Blackwoods, Bullivants, Cm3, Workwear Group and Coregas. Workwear brands associated with the division include KingGee, Hard Yakka, Stubbies and NNT.

• Healthcare and pharmacy · 2022

  Wesfarmers Health

  Wesfarmers Health was formed around Australian Pharmaceutical Industries and operates across pharmaceutical distribution, pharmacy-related services and healthcare retail. Its expansion has included InstantScripts, the Atomica beauty-store pilot and the Pharmacy 4 Less and Your Chemist Shop businesses. The division represents Wesfarmers' move into a regulated, service-oriented consumer sector.

• Online retail

  Catch

  Catch was an Australian online shopping marketplace acquired by Wesfarmers in 2019. It offered general merchandise through an e-commerce platform and formed part of the group's OneDigital strategy. Wesfarmers later announced that Catch.com.au would cease trading on 30 April 2025.

• 2017Bunnings UK rollout

  United Kingdom · Ireland

  Following the purchase of Homebase, Bunnings began converting selected British stores to the Bunnings format. The initiative was intended to transfer Bunnings' warehouse-led model into the UK market.

  Outcome. The rollout underperformed and the Homebase business was sold to Hilco Capital in 2018.

  Source

• 2025

  Close Catch.com.auStrategy

  Background

  Wesfarmers reviewed the performance and strategic role of its online marketplace.

  Action taken

  The company announced that Catch.com.au would cease trading on 30 April 2025.

  Aftermath

  The decision reduced Wesfarmers' exposure to standalone online general merchandise and concentrated the portfolio on other businesses.

  Source

• 2022

  Acquire Australian Pharmaceutical IndustriesM&A

  Background

  Wesfarmers identified healthcare as a new platform for diversification.

  Action taken

  It acquired Australian Pharmaceutical Industries for A$740 million and used the business as the foundation of Wesfarmers Health.

  Aftermath

  The division expanded into digital healthcare, beauty retail and pharmacy operations.

  Acquisition value. A$740 million (2022)

  Source

• 2019

  Acquire Catch GroupM&A

  Background

  The acquisition was intended to strengthen Wesfarmers' digital retail capabilities.

  Action taken

  Wesfarmers acquired Catch Group for A$230 million.

  Aftermath

  The business operated within the group's OneDigital activities until Wesfarmers announced the closure of Catch.com.au in 2025.

  Acquisition value. A$230 million (2019)

  Source

• 2018

  Demerger of ColesM&A

  Background

  Wesfarmers reassessed the role of Coles within its diversified portfolio and sought to separate the supermarket business from the remaining group.

  Action taken

  Coles was spun off in November 2018, with Wesfarmers initially retaining a 15 percent interest.

  Aftermath

  Wesfarmers reduced its holding over time and sold its final Coles shares in 2023.

  Source

• 2016

  Acquire HomebaseM&A

  Background

  Wesfarmers intended to use Bunnings' operating model to improve the performance of the British home-improvement chain.

  Action taken

  Wesfarmers acquired Homebase and began converting stores to the Bunnings brand.

  Aftermath

  The strategy failed to meet expectations; Wesfarmers sold Homebase to Hilco Capital in 2018 at a reported loss of A$1.96 billion.

  Reported loss on disposal. A$1.96 billion (2018)

  Source

• 2007

  Acquire Coles GroupM&A

  Background

  Wesfarmers sought to expand substantially into food, general merchandise, liquor, fuel and convenience retail.

  Action taken

  It completed the A$22 billion acquisition of Coles Group.

  Aftermath

  The transaction brought Coles, Kmart and Target into the group before Coles was later separated through a 2018 demerger.

  Acquisition value. A$22 billion (2007)

  Source

• 2025

  Catch.com.au to cease trading[1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Wesfarmers announced that its Catch online marketplace would stop trading at the end of April 2025, following a strategic reassessment of the business.

• 2025

  Wesfarmers Health acquires Pharmacy 4 Less Group[1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The transaction expanded Wesfarmers Health's pharmacy presence through the Pharmacy 4 Less and Your Chemist Shop brands.

• 2023

  Wesfarmers agrees to acquire InstantScripts[1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The proposed acquisition extended Wesfarmers Health into digital healthcare and online medical services.

• 2022

  Wesfarmers completes the acquisition of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries[1]Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  The acquisition created the foundation for Wesfarmers Health and expanded the group into pharmaceutical distribution, pharmacy services and healthcare retail.

1. 1Wesfarmersen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Wesfarmers official websitewesfarmers.com.au