Woolworths and Coles Group said on Friday they would defend class action proceedings commenced by a law firm in Australia's federal court over the grocers' alleged misleading discount claims.

Class action lawsuits lodged against Australia’s two major supermarket chains accuse the duo of misleading promotional discounts on hundreds of items.

A consumer protection law firm has launched a class action against Coles and Woolworths, saying their allegedly misleading discount claims mean the average customer could be entitled to a refund of up to $1300.

(Reuters) -Australian law firm Gerard Malouf & Partners on Thursday said it had filed class action lawsuits against the country's top two retailers, Woolworths and Coles, for allegedly encouraging misleading discount claims on everyday products.