Coles shares soar on rumoured Wesfarmers buys

Shares in Coles Group Ltd were up 45 cents, or 2.6 per cent, at close of trade today amid reporters suitor Wesfarmers had attempted to increase its stake in the retailer.

Coles stocks had reached a record $17.80 earlier in the day, following reports other firms had been interested in a slice of the action.

Coles and Wesfarmers have declined to comment on the reports.