Cafes, shoppers at a crossroads as surcharge ban looms
Shoppers may benefit from cash discounts, but retailers will still have to pay the price on merchant fees when a card surcharge ban comes into effect.
retail
‘Right strategy’: retailer backs itself after big loss
A department store operator, which has 56 stores across the country, has delivered what is arguably one of the worst full-year losses of fiscal 2026.
Aussie wagyu producer raises the ‘steaks’ a third time
An Aussie wagyu beef producer has won a global award for the third time in a row, in a show of confidence for the sector, which is the world's largest exporter.
Electric check-out: Coles opens greener grocery store
It is not just the bags that are green: a Melbourne supermarket will use renewable energy and customised technology to reduce its environmental footprint.
Retailers risk jail for cheap cigarettes under new laws
Selling cheap or concealed cigarettes could be enough to land retailers in hot water under proposed laws aimed at smashing the illegal tobacco trade.
Retail environment not that bad: industry veteran
Consumer sentiment is gloomy, the chair of IGA operator Metcash says, but shoppers are still spending because there hasn't been a jobs market shakeout.
Retailer banks on outdoor living to lure people inside
Harvey Norman is redoing its Australian store locations and has a big outdoor goods promotion planned after suffering a significant drop in shoppers.
Drier July helps lift Bunnings sales as DIY rules
Retail-focused group Wesfarmers, which owns some of Australia's best-known brands, including Bunnings Warehouse, says households are still under pressure.
Banks tip more hikes as spending surge adds to RBA woes
Three out of the four big banks are tipping the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates by November, with one forecasting a hike in a matter of weeks.
Russian Wildberries depot destroyed in second attack
Ukrainian drones have struck an online retailer's warehouse inside Russia for a second time, as Kyiv pushes ahead with its campaign to hurt Moscow's economy.
Woolies wins the grocery wars, lifts sales and profits
Woolworths has confirmed its Ooshies collectibles campaign helped drive sales going into the new financial year, after it beat Coles during 2025/26.
Liquor unit loses fizz as Coles refreshes supermarkets
Coles is stepping up the refurbishment of its grocery store network while closing dozens of underperforming Liquorland locations.
‘In it to win it’: liquor group sees more GenZ buyers
Bottle shops and pubs giant Endeavour Group has increased its retail market share after lowering shelf prices for customers, leaving it with lower profits.
Oil markets to remain tight as conflicts drag on
Ampol, which owns one of Australia's two onshore oil refineries, has turned in a stellar first-half profit after oil market dislocation boosted its earnings.
Footwear giant vows to step up after first loss
The owner of sneaker chains Platypus, Skechers and The Athlete's Foot is regaining its footing after its first loss in its two decades as a listed company.
High-protein trend helps bulk up big Aussie food brand
Bega Cheese, which makes cheddar, yoghurt and peanut butter alongside popular spreads like Vegemite, is back in the black after a protein-driven turnaround.
Coffee machines brew a caffeine hit for Aussie firm
Breville Group has delivered a rise in profit on record revenue and played up opportunities for its coffee machines, especially in the Middle East.
Sales drop triggers share plunge at retail bellwether
Shares in leading retailer JB Hi-Fi have suffered their biggest one-day loss in company history, pointing to tough conditions for the broader sector.
Russian warehouse hit in Ukraine’s latest deep attack
Ukrainian long-range drones have hit another Wildberries warehouse inside Russia, as Kyiv scrambles to fortify its own air defence against Moscow's attacks.
Hard sell for retail giant as consumers tighten belts
Households are clamping down on spending even more as financial uncertainty deepens, hitting sales at a leading Australian retailer.
Ukrainian strikes more warehouses of ‘Russia’s Amazon’
Ukraine has launched its fourth attack on Russian retailer Wildberries, sending plumes of smoke over St Petersburg and Crimea as it targets Moscow's war effort.
Aussie fashion brand ships manufacturing offshore
A cult fashion brand will shift its Australian manufacturing overseas after years of making clothes with both local and overseas producers.
Inside the e-commerce giant primed for bargain hunters
As the cost of living bites, some Australians are looking towards major sales events, with one e-commerce giant hiring hundreds of extra seasonal workers.
Struggling shoe retailer to close most remaining stores
Citing a shift to online shopping and a response to declining foot traffic, Betts will close 20 of its 35 remaining physical stores.
Watchdog backed in landmark rejection of regional Coles
A key business group in a mining town with six supermarkets has thrown its support behind a decision to block Coles from opening a new store.
Supplier sees signs illegal tobacco crackdown hits mark
Metcash is shrugging off a fairly lacklustre trading year triggered by geopolitical uncertainty and cost-of-living pressures by reporting signs of a pick-up.
UK retail giant makes hostile bid for Hype DC owner
The British company that owns Sports Direct is offering to buy Accent Group for $390 million, saying it has concerns about its management and chairman.
Popular goods retailer eyes regions for store expansion
Super Retail Group, which owns Supercheap Auto, Macpac, BCF and Rebel, is expanding its store footprint to 900 within five years under a new growth plan.
Aussie retailers under pressure from e-commerce giants
Australians are continuing to turn to global e-commerce providers as rising costs weigh on household budgets, heaping more pressure on local retailers.
Big lottery operator plans to step up the fun factor
The company that runs Powerball believes its digital operations have done a poor job of capturing the fun and joy of playing the lottery.
business (general)
consumer confidence
consumer goods
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
retail
trade policy
unrest, conflicts and war
Retailers under attack from weak demand, rising costs
Australia's retail sector faces a pincer attack as the war in the Middle East increases costs and pushes consumers to the brink.