As of 11am AEDT, Coles Group (COL) is now a separately listed entity on the ASX again, completing the planned demerger from Westfarmers Limited.

While not an IPO in the true sense, it’s a big shake up and gives investors additional options about how they would like take up shares in the retail sector.

Coles Group opened at $12.60 per share while Westfarmers (WES), as predicted, dropped in response from mid $40 to low $30 range.

Westfarmers’ plan was to reposition both businesses for the next decade and with the retail sector under increasing pressure, we expect to see many more of these announcements moving forward.