Wesfarmers has announced that its e-commerce platform, Catch, will cease operating as a standalone business in the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year. The company plans to transfer Catch’s fulfilment centres to Kmart Group, while selected digital capabilities will be integrated into Wesfarmers’ retail divisions. This strategic decision is expected to eliminate the losses associated with Catch’s standalone operations and enhance the Group’s retail offerings.
Wesfarmers Managing Director Rob Scott stated that while Catch’s financial performance has been challenging, the business has contributed valuable digital insights that have accelerated the Group’s transformation.
“While Catch’s financial performance has been challenging, we have gained valuable insights and capabilities that have accelerated the Group’s digital transformation and supported the development of the OnePass membership program,” Mr Scott said.
Since acquiring Catch in 2019, Wesfarmers’ retail divisions have significantly advanced their data and digital operations, achieving over $3 billion in e-commerce sales and recording 220 million monthly digital interactions in the 2024 financial year.
Mr Scott noted that increasing competition in the Australian e-commerce market has impacted Catch’s financial performance and growth outlook. He explained that Wesfarmers’ retail and health businesses, with their established store networks, e-commerce platforms, shared data assets, and membership programs, are well-positioned to adapt to evolving market demands and customer expectations.
“We thank the Catch team for their hard work improving the operating performance of the business and building valuable capabilities for the Group. Where possible, opportunities for redeployment within the Group will be offered to affected team members,” Mr Scott said.
As part of the wind-down, Catch’s Moorebank, New South Wales, and Truganina, Victoria, e-commerce fulfilment centres will be transferred to Kmart Group in the fourth quarter of the 2025 financial year. This transition is expected to improve the customer experience and increase the efficiency of Kmart Group’s e-commerce operations.
Kmart Group Managing Director Ian Bailey highlighted the benefits of the transition, noting that the fulfilment centres are currently underutilised.
“Kmart Group can better utilise Catch’s fulfilment centres, which are currently less than 50 per cent utilised. The transition will result in faster deliveries to customers at a lower unit cost,” Mr Bailey said.