Court ruling on back pay dents Woolworths profit
A supermaket giant's first-half profit was cut in half after a court ruling left it owing around $710 million to workers in back pay, interest and taxes.
retail
Coffee cups, truck laws leave shoppers with hefty bill
Different laws across Australian states are putting pressure on the retail sector, which wants legislative harmony between jurisdictions.
Aussies splash cash on tech but prices tipped to rise
Consumers are spending big on smartphones and games consoles despite a tight economy, JB Hi-Fi says, but the cost of some gadgets could rise.
Coles points finger at suppliers for price changes
Australia's consumer watchdog has accused Coles of artificially increasing prices to create discounts, while the supermarket giant blames supplier cost hikes.
Baby store refits delivers ‘halo effect’ for retailer
Baby Bunting's nine revamped "stores of the future" are delivering the goods, helping the baby goods retailer grow overall same-store sales by 4.7 per cent.
Shoppers care about ‘fair dinkum’ discounts, says Coles
A supermarket giant accused of manipulating prices has told a court the regulator is wrongly attributing "sophisticated thought processes" to grocery shoppers.
Supermarket giant ‘genuinely cares’ about customers
A grocery giant accused of false price discounts has told a court that it genuinely cares about customers while boosting its profits.
Kmart, Bunnings building as Officeworks stays deskbound
Kmart and Bunnings performed strongly in the first half of 2025/26, owner Wesfarmers says, but another of its well-known chains is lagging.
Up up prices gave shoppers bang for buck, court told
A supermarket giant is defending claims it misled customers with its "down down" campaign, saying it offered value for money.
Signs of softening spending could stay RBA’s rates hand
A surprise slide in consumer spending has thrown more uncertainty around the Reserve Bank's next move on interest rates.
Systemic changes urged after mass stabbing revelations
Almost two years after six victims died in a horrifying mass stabbing, the pressure is on the government and others to make changes and prevent further deaths.
Coles teen stabbing accused seeks mental health defence
A specialist court is set to decide if a teenage boy accused of stabbing a supermarket worker in the back should face trial on an attempted murder charge.
Dan Murphy’s owner grows sales at expense of profit
Endeavour Group expects to report a smaller profit after cutting its prices to grow its sales on the lead-in to the key holiday trading period.
Oasis tour tunes up economy but clouds rate cut hopes
Britpop giant Oasis and Black Friday bargains have helped bring Australia's economy back in tune, adding to the case against Reserve Bank rate cuts.
Rate hike ‘risks hurting’ fragile consumer sentiment
A fresh survey of Australian consumer sentiment doesn't make for encouraging reading as the central bank weighs lifting the cash rate at its next meeting.
Boxing Day sales take off with bargain airfares
Shoppers are being urged to scrutinise Boxing Day bargain claims, while two major airlines have announced discounted fare sales.
Penfolds owner’s earnings sour on China ‘grey’ wine woe
Shares in Penfolds owner Treasury Wine Estates plunged after it pointed to a fall in earnings due to problems in China and the US.
Price gouging ban will drive up costs: supermarkets
Lower grocery bills are being promised with a price gouging ban but supermarket giants and retailers say shoppers will be the ones to bear the brunt of costs.
Budget update to reveal Australia’s fiscal fortunes
The federal treasurer says he's booked another $20 billion in savings in the budget update, but is keeping mum on whether that means a smaller deficit.
Myer hails Black Friday boom as top label nears return
Department store Myer achieved its biggest biggest Black Friday sale performance on record as it prepares to relaunch a fast fashion brand in Australia.
Rate rise flagged as RBA does a Grinch with no Xmas cut
More rate relief for borrowers has essentially been ruled out by the Reserve Bank governor as the central bank mulls over when to lift rates again.
Economy has huge issues, billionaire retail icon warns
Premier Investments shares have plunged as the owner of Smiggle and Peter Alexander blames lower earnings forecast on the economy.
Splurging shoppers push economy over speed limit
The sharpest rise in household spending in 21 months suggests the economy is continuing to grow in strength, heightening Reserve Bank fears about inflation.
Retail supremo dangles ‘game-changing’ mystery tech
Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey has hinted he might be selling robots in the next 18 months alongside a 'secret' technology, after dissing his rivals.
Shoppers tap credit to fund record Black Friday sales
Despite inflation pummelling hopes of more interest rate cuts, Australians are spending as much as ever in major sales and increasingly using debt to do so.
IGA supplier losing tobacco sales to black market
IGA supplier Metcash has delivered a $142.2 million first-half net profit, up 0.3 per cent from a year ago, and reported tobacco sales dropped by 35 per cent.
‘Do you care?’: Coles stares down anti-salmon activists
Coles shareholders have voted down activist-backed resolutions taking aim at its sourcing of salmon after executives were peppered with questions on the issue.
Jail time for threatening staff as retail attacks surge
Years in jail and store bans are among tougher penalties flagged by a state government tackling a troubling surge in attacks and threats on retail shop staff.
Greater police presence to crack down on violent crime
Police will be deployed across more of a major state train network and shopping centres in a bid to reduce the likelihood of violent crime.
‘Eye off the ball’: Woolies lays blame for limp results
A string of "distractions" are the reason why Woolworths failed to deliver for shareholders, the company's leaders say.
Coles puts heat on Woolworths with strong sales growth
Supermarket giant Coles continues to take market share from key rival Woolworths, posting stronger quarterly sales growth than its bigger competitor.