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Coles said it would defend itself against the allegations, while Woolworths said it would review the claims.

Payment systems went down at Australian stores including Woolworths, while financial institutions such as the National Australia Bank were also affected.

Medhi Mammadov's co-workers asked each other as their office on the 27th floor of the iconic Woolworth Building began to shake.

Woolworths - the nation's largest retailer - and its rival Coles control 65% of the market, and both have been facing intense criticism over their business models as the country battles a cost-of-living crisis.

Earlier this month the nation's largest retailer, Woolworths, announced it was axing its Australia Day merchandise - such as caps, tattoos, and plastic flags - due to a "gradual decline in demand".