Wesfarmers WES.ASX

[Onemootpoint]

The news a few days ago of Bunnings Aus venturing into the pet zone big time caused a bit of a stir in Aus and independent pet store owners, but also very locally caused some temporary excitement in our WHS forum.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/bunnings-announces-biggest-category-expansion-in-20-years/news-story/34736f5ccaf4ef8a38f867f48987a82f

In this article linked below reference is made to an older quote from the Woolies CEO of pets being a big deal in Aus and NZ.
"At the time, Woolworths CEO Brad Banducci said pets was a large and growing retail segment "given the high penetration of pet ownership across Australia and New Zealand"."

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/independent-pet-store-worried-bunnings-expansion-could-put-them-out-of-business/news-story/9f40ad3e512d2c57fa13349dc2967c6c


There seems to be money to be made and if Bunnings NZ jumps on to this WHS may have missed an opportunity.

[Onemootpoint]

Mitre10 playing into the competitor's hands:

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/mitre-10-vs-bunnings-500k-penalty-in-anti-competitive-land-dispute/F4FJU4GMUJGLHO3LPN7XAFSY7Q/

But Bunnings appear to be doing the same in Aus.

https://www.news.com.au/finance/business/retail/bunnings-lashed-for-being-anticompetitive-trying-to-buy-mitre10-stores/news-story/13da696cf195b2aa7819ca5c6055a729

WES can probably afford it; can M10?