Question: is woolworths and coles owned by the same company

Answer: No, In 1914, the first Coles ``variety store'' was opened in Melbourne. Coles was founded in 1914 by George Coles when he opened what was called the ``Coles Variety Store'' in Smith Street in the Melbourne suburb of Collingwood. More stores opened and the chain was regarded as the leaders in providing value to Australian shoppers. The building formerly occupied by the original Coles Variety Store is now the location of a Woolworths outlet - the major competitor to Coles.