Woolworths' margins lag Wal-Mart, Tesco-watchdog

MELBOURNE Aug 5 (Reuters) - Australia's competition watchdog said Australia's top supermarkets operator, Woolworths Ltd (WOW.AX) had healthy margins based on earnings before interest and tax compared with its international competitors.

Both Wal-Mart (WMT.N) and Tesco (TSCO.L), the U.S. and Britain's biggest retailers respectively, had higher margins than Woolworths and were operating in more competitive markets, the chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, Graeme Samuel, told reporters.

Coles, Australia's second-largest grocery retailer, owned by Wesfarmers Ltd (WES.AX), has been lagging Woolworths in efficiency and has slimmer margins. (Reporting by Victoria Thieberger)