Original article by Sue Mitchell
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 13 : 22-Nov-17
New Wesfarmers CEO Rob Scott says he has no plans to spin off Bunnings, the home improvement chain regarded as its most important asset. Scott says while he has people telling him he should spin off Bunnings, he gets just as many people telling him that Wesfarmers should retain it. Bunnings accounts for just 30 per cent of Wesfarmers’ group earnings, but is reckoned to be worth $A23 billion, almost half of Wesfarmers’ overall market value of $A48 billion. Scott concedes Bunnings’ expansion into the UK has not been as successful to date as was hoped, but he is confident that UK consumers will eventually embrace its format.
CORPORATES
WESFARMERS LIMITED – ASX WES, BUNNINGS GROUP LIMITED, WOOLWORTHS LIMITED – ASX WOW, COLES SUPERMARKETS AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, KMART AUSTRALIA LIMITED, TARGET AUSTRALIA PTY LTD, OFFICEWORKS SUPERSTORES PTY LTD, DEUTSCHE BANK AG, AIRLIE FUNDS MANAGEMENT PTY LTD, MASTERS HOME IMPROVEMENT AUSTRALIA PTY LTD