Retail

The opening of Furniture Gallery’s third store in Osborne Park in late October capped a busy 18 months for two sisters behind the rapidly growing new entrant to Perth’s interior retail scene.

Instant cameras, motorised skateboards and electronic fitness products are all on the wishlist as Australian shoppers prepare to splurge more this Christmas.

Woolworths shares have jumped amid speculation two global private equity giants may be considering a joint bid for the retail giant's Big W chain.

Investors have welcomed news that Perth-based confectionery company Yowie Group has signed a licensing agreement with the firm behind the popular Angry Birds franchise, to manufacture an Angry Birds-themed candy for the US market.

Western Australia’s oldest family-owned business has won a contract to provide local inbound freight transport services for German supermarket chain Aldi, which is planning to open its first Perth stores next year.

Wesfarmers' incoming chairman Michael Chaney will inherit challenging conditions in the conglomerate's industrial and resources division, but continued solid earnings from its retail businesses including Coles and Bunnings.

Retail spending in Western Australia has hit its highest level on record, in seasonally adjusted terms, with September expenditure more than $2.8 billion; yet growth is well down from the heights of the boom.

Nestled in the heart of Nedlands, the Taylor Road IGA is not your usual supermarket.

Woolworths is taking a massive profit hit from its price war with Coles and Aldi, with the supermarket giant conceding that a recovery could be several years away.

Electronics retailer Dick Smith has slashed up to $8 million from its profit forecast as it braces for a not-so-merry Christmas.

Billionaire Frank Lowy's 55 years at the top of his Australian shopping centre empire are coming to an end.

Coles' food and liquor sales growth has eased further as the supermarket price war ramps up with German discounter Aldi's aggressive expansion.

New retail trading laws for WA will affect businesses as varied as Bunnings, Masters, stallholders at short-term markets and even shops on Rottnest Island as the state government moves to widen trading hours and remove anomalies in current regulations.

Western Australia's Caratti and Cardaci families have featured for the first time in BRW's rich families list, while the Buckeridge family has been ranked as the state's wealthiest.

Former iiNet boss Michael Smith has replaced Russell Withers as chairman of convenience store chain 7-Eleven, while chief executive Warren Wilmot has resigned following revelations the company’s franchisees had been underpaying their workers.

The traditionally dominant players in Australian retail are being forced to reinvent themselves in the face of increased competition – from each other, and a host of international raiders.

While storm clouds gather over office assets and land development comes off the boil, interest in retail property is building as investors look for somewhere secure to park their cash. Click through to see our list of WA's top 10 locally-based shopping centre owners.

Struggling grocery supplier Metcash is beginning to see signs of improvements thanks to its renewed focus on fresh food and private label brands.

Outdoor clothing and goods retailer Kathmandu has announced it will quit the UK, on the same day it posted a 51.7 per cent slide in full-year net profit to $NZ20.4 million.

Supermarket giant Aldi has strongly rejected suggestions a deal is in place to buy the Spudshed network of stores from its owner, Tony Galati.

This innovative fast-food outlet is testament to how passion can drive business growth.

Woolworths is expected to develop a supermarket on a site in Singleton, south of Golden Bay, where rival Coles was planning to build one of its stores.

7-Eleven founder and chairman Russ Withers says allegations of staff underpayment by franchisees have challenged all levels of the company, and substantial changes will be made to its business model.

Cash Converters International has announced a number of board changes, including the retirement of its chairman, and has commenced a review of the business as it responds to challenging market conditions.

SPECIAL REPORT: Perth’s fashion sector is gradually making its mark by developing niche opportunities, despite growing international competition.

Extended Christmas trading hours will apply again this year, with all general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area able to open as early as 7am on weekdays and Saturdays.

Former head of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Allan Fels will lead an independent panel to receive and review claims involving underpaid staff by franchisees of 7-Eleven.

National retail spending has fallen for the first time in over a year, dragged down by a drop in spending on household goods, but WA's retail sector remained strong.

Shares in outdoor adventure gear retailer Kathmandu were sharply lower after the Briscoe Group's takeover offer remained unchanged while Kathmandu remained unmoved.

7-Eleven says it will establish an independent panel to review franchise agreement terms, amid claims that staff have been underpaid by franchisees.

Harvey Norman's acquisition of a stake in a dairy farm may be mystifying for some, but not for executive chairman Gerry Harvey.

Myer is looking to a Topshop-led overhaul to end years of weak sales growth in its department stores, and is asking investors for the cash to pay for it.