business (general) consumers crime, law and justice economy, business and finance food - consumer goods retail

Shoppers could pay more after Coles misconduct ruling

Supermarket prices could stay higher for longer following a ruling that Coles misled its customers with non-genuine discounts, according to one retail expert.

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Watchdog seeks big penalty after Coles goes ‘Down Down’

The consumer watchdog will be seeking a "significant penalty" to act as a deterrent to Coles and others, after a court found the supermarket misled shoppers.

consumer goods consumers crime, law and justice economy, business and finance litigation and regulation retail

Woolies cites post-COVID instability in prices stoush

Australia's biggest supermarket chain has defended its discounts, as the consumer watchdog's joint court case against Woolies and Coles nears the finish line.

consumer goods economy, business and finance retail

Big bunnies and grog sales take a wartime shopping hit

Coles shoppers adjusted their spending patterns after the Middle East war began, spending less on liquor and even buying smaller Easter chocolate bunnies.

consumer goods crime, law and justice food - consumer goods litigation and regulation retail

Supermarket giants brace for ruling on ‘fake’ discounts

The consumer watchdog's landmark case against Coles and Woolworths over alleged "illusory" discounts is nearing a decision after 18 sessions over two hearings.

consumers inflation and deflation litigation and regulation prices retail

Woolworths bumped price of baby food before ‘discount’

Woolworths sold baby food at a higher price for just three weeks before taking off 50 cents and marketing it as a price reduction, a court has been told.

breaking_news business (general) consumers crime, law and justice litigation and regulation retail

Woolworths denies deception, blames inflation for hikes

Inflation and supplier negotiations drove prices higher, not a desire to mislead consumers with short-term hikes, Australia's biggest supermarket says.

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Massive robotic warehouse to deliver thousands of jobs

Construction has begun on the biggest warehouse ever constructed in Queensland - a robotic customer fulfilment centre for Amazon Australia.

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Owl be damned: regulator stops short of rat poison ban

Conservationists are pushing for a regulator to outlaw a common class of rodenticides having pervasive effects on owls and other native animals.

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Good news is bad news: GDP growth fuels inflation fears

Australia's economy expanded by 2.6 per cent over 2025, above Reserve Bank forecasts, raising fears of an impending interest rate hike.

economy, business and finance inflation and deflation interest rate people - social issue retail

Wavering households ease urgency for more rate hikes

Economic data released this week will leave the Reserve Bank a little less concerned about underlying momentum in consumer demand, an economist says.

economy, business and finance food - consumer goods retail

Grocery giant hits 17-month high on ‘fantastic result’

Woolworths has delivered better-than-expected earnings while improving customer satisfaction scores, sending its shares soaring to a 17-month high.

consumers crime, law and justice retail

Coles hits back, blames inflation for prices going up

Coles blames inflation for price rises during its "down down" campaign, denying it misled customers in a case brought to court by the consumer watchdog.

consumer goods economy, business and finance retail

‘Down Down’: Coles shares shamed as sales growth slows

Coles' half-year earnings have disappointed the market, with shares in the supermarket giant falling to their lowest level since August.

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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.

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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.

consumers crime, law and justice retail

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.

economy, business and finance parent and child retail

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.

consumers crime, law and justice retail shopping

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.

consumers crime, law and justice retail

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.

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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.

consumers crime, law and justice retail

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.

economy, business and finance inflation and deflation interest rate people - social issue retail

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.

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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.

crime, law and justice juvenile delinquency retail

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.

economy, business and finance retail

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.

breaking_news economy, business and finance inflation and deflation people - social issue retail

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.

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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.

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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.

economy, business and finance retail

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.

consumer goods economic policy economy, business and finance food - consumer goods politics prices retail

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.