There are a number of compelling ASX blue-chip shares that could be useful buys for retirees. Coles Group Ltd (ASX: COL) shares could be one of the best options, in my opinion.
There are plenty of reasons to like Coles as an investment. As a retiree, I'd want to have a high level of confidence that the dividend payments continue flowing year after year.
If dividend payments are key to funding someone's life expenditure, then stability is essential!
Let me explain what makes it so appealing.
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Good dividend yield
A good ASX dividend share should be competitive (or better) than a term deposit when it comes to the dividend yield.
A large dividend yield isn't necessarily the only thing to look for, but it does mean the investment is unlocking a pleasing cash return each year.
In the 2025 financial year, Coles decided to pay annual dividend per share of 69 cents per share, an increase of 1.5% year-over-year.
At the current Coles share price, that represents a grossed-up dividend yield of 4.5%, including franking credits. That's similar to the best rates offered by term deposits in Australia right now.
But, there's another reason why Coles shares are an attractive pick for passive income for retirees.
Ongoing dividend growth
Coles is one of the few major ASX blue-chip shares that has increased its annual dividends each year since 2019. That's one of the main advantages of owning shares over cash in the bank – the investment can deliver growth itself.
The business is predicted by analysts to continue this growth streak in the coming years.
Broker UBS projects that the business could deliver an annual dividend per share of 79 cents in the 2026 financial year and 93 cents per share in the 2027 financial year.
At the current Coles share price, this could mean the supermarket business delivers a grossed-up dividend yield of 5.1% in FY26 and 6% in FY27, including franking credits.
UBS predicts the supermarket business can continue growing its dividend in FY28, FY29 and FY30.
Why this is a good time to buy Coles shares
The Coles share price declined 8% since the end of August 2025, which is a sizeable decline for a business as defensive as Coles.
But, it's not just a defensive play, in my view. It's also growing at a reasonable pace.
In the first quarter of FY26, Coles overall sales (which includes the liquor sales) rose 3.9% to $10.96 billion, while supermarket sales rose 4.8% to $9.96 billion. In the supermarket division, sales rose 7% excluding tobacco.
Coles supermarkets are growing sales faster than rival Woolworths Group Ltd (ASX: WOW), with e-commerce sales being a key highlight. Coles supermarket FY26 first quarter e-commerce sales soared by 27.9% to $1.3 billion. But, it'd be unwise to expect stronger growth every quarter forever.
Rising sales, combined with new advanced warehouses, could help the business deliver a higher operating profit (EBIT) margin in the coming years. UBS predicts Coles could achieve a 5.1% EBIT margin FY26, a 5.3% margin in FY27 and a 5.4% margin in FY28.
At this lower valuation, I think the Coles share price is an appealing buy for retirees for both possible passive income and capital growth.
