Woolworths, Coles say underpayment costs could hit $1b
Woolworths estimates it owes up to $750 million to thousands of salaried team leaders after a court ruling, while Coles' liability could hit $250 million.
retail
Consumer boom drives surprise jump in economic growth
Australia's economy surpassed expectations in the last financial year, taking some urgency out of the Reserve Bank's plans to cut interest rates.
Shoppers check out of Woolies as Coles registers gains
Shoppers are switching supermarket brands with Woolworths losing sales to arch-rival Coles as the giant chains post contrasting financial results.
Buying frenzy for Coles shares after bumper sales year
Coles shares posted their best single-day gains in more than five years after the supermarket giant announced strong sales growth and a billion-dollar profit.
Bricks and mortar thrive as beauty retailer expands
The expansion of a major beauty retailer's flagship is in line with trends of specialty stores moving into physical retail at the expense of department stores.
construction and property
economic indicator
economy (general)
economy, business and finance
investments
retail
unemployment
West is best economically as eastern states left behind
Western Australia remains the top economic performer in CommSec's State of the States rankings, but its "breakneck" growth is starting to lose momentum.
Dozens dead after fire at shopping centre in Iraq
A massive fire has ripped through a hypermarket in eastern Iraq, leaving at least 61 people dead, including children, and others missing.
Surprise rate hold another blow for consumer confidence
Fewer rate cuts than expected will further weaken already fragile consumer confidence, as the Commonwealth Bank records a gradual household spending recovery.
Big bank shifts rate cut tip as retail sales disappoint
A slow start to the year for consumers continues, with weaker-than-expected retail sales a sign of "scarring" from a spike in inflation.
Retail spending tipped to stay soft as home prices soar
Housing prices are expected to climb ever higher, even as a predicted recovery in dwelling consents shines a ray of hope on Australia's supply ambitions.
Lower energy use just the beginning for retail giant
Lower energy prices might make its way into the Bunnings catch-phrase as the retailer looks to fast-track the decarbonisation of its services.
What’s the crime, say accused $10m fake merch dealers
Caught with over 500 fake luxury items, three founders of an alleged $10 million counterfeit empire have attacked the investigators who put them in custody.
Warm weather, Cyclone Trump hit consumer recovery
Australia's economic momentum remains fragile with unseasonably warm weather and consumer concern contributing to weaker retail sales.
Bless your cotton jocks: town’s cheeky bid to retailers
A social media campaign is highlighting the absurdity of being unable to buy a decent supply of socks and jocks in one of Australia's leading cotton regions.
Weary retail recovery has rate cut almost in the bag
All the smoke signals point to an interest rate cut as Australian retail spending continues to grow amid cooling consumer and producer inflation.
‘Horrific’ triple-zero calls mounted during mass attack
Ambulance officers responded to up to 4000 calls for assistance on the day of a horror mass stabbing attack in the Bondi Junction shopping centre.
Ambos left waiting outside mall after stabbing spree
Paramedics feared people were dying as they were left outside a shopping centre when more than a dozen people were critically injured in a stabbing spree.
Contamination fears: supermarkets pull popular products
Five supermarket chains have pulled dozens of products from their shelves, warning customers of a potential health risk.
Prices dropping for all major supermarkets bar Woolies
Woolworths is the only major supermarket chain to flunk a government-funded report on grocery prices across Australia.
Another retailer goes out of fashion, 600 jobs at risk
Retail chain Jeanswest has collapsed after more than five decades in business, threatening hundreds of jobs with more than 90 stores likely to close.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Coles, Woolies guilty of increasing margins: watchdog
Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised a crackdown on major supermarkets following a consumer watchdog report, but warned breaking them up would be counterproductive.
consumer goods
consumers
economy, business and finance
food - consumer goods
inquiry
politics
report
retail
shopping
Watchdog unveils plan to end supermarket shrinkflation
The competition watchdog has resisted calls for powers to break up major supermarkets in a report, while calling for more transparency to tackle price-gouging.
Tough times haven’t stopped Aussies shopping online
Online shopping continues to soar in popularity in Australia, as cost-of-living pressures change the way we spend, and determines which retailers will survive.
Michael Hill International CEO dies unexpectedly
The chief of leading jewellery chain Michael Hill has died suddenly after suffering an adverse reaction to medical treatment for an underlying condition.
Woolworths profit hit by 17-day warehouse strike
Woolworths Group says its profit was down 20.6 per cent to $739 million in the six months to December 31, in part due to a strike by warehouse workers.
Time for ‘rubber to hit the road’ in Closing the Gap
A plan to reduce disadvantage among Indigenous people is at risk of not meeting targets, as Indigenous leaders call for funding to back programs.
construction and property
economic indicator
economy, business and finance
employment
interest rate
retail
Fresh data to shed light on retail, housing strength
Australians are expected to have pulled back on retail spending after major sales, with the latest data unlikely to shift the dial for the Reserve Bank.
Top clothing chains to close, shedding hundreds of jobs
More than 250 outlets of two leading retail chains will close, costing nearly 1000 jobs, after receivers failed to find a buyer for the stores.
Myer gets tick of approval for clothing brand merger
Myer Holdings will get much bigger on Sunday, after shareholders approved its acquisition of 719 apparel stores, including Just Jeans and Jay Jays.
Experts put money on early rate cut as spending slides
A decline in spending on household goods has bolstered hopes of an RBA rate cut, which would help boost dour consumer sentiment.
Black Friday spurs spending but full figures fall short
Consumer spending is past its weakest point but still subdued, despite a spike in activity from annual promotions in November.