A protracted bidding war for Australian retailer Coles Group Ltd closed on Saturday, with conglomerate Wesfarmers Ltd presenting a bid that could be worth up to A$19.7 billion ($16.7 billion) for the whole company. The deal would be the biggest take-over in Australian corporate history. Wesfarmers' was expected to be the only bid for the whole company.
Woolworths Ltd, Australia's top supermarket chain, was also expected to have made an offer by the deadline of 9 am on Saturday (2300 GMT Friday) for two Coles' units, office supplies retailer Officeworks and either of the discount chains Target or Kmart.