Retail

Retailer Harvey Norman plans to be a market leader in the domestic solar industry after placing a substantial order for user-friendly solar panels.

Four-wheel drives are supposed to be good at climbing - and they're doing just that, hitting a record high as a share of total vehicles sold in May.

Several suppliers to Coles and Woolworths have raised concerns of bullying by the supermarket giants.

Interest rate cuts and federal government handouts will help retail spending grow at its fastest pace since the 2008-2009 global financial crisis, an independent forecaster says.

Consumer optimism has grown only slightly, despite another official interest rate cut, a private study shows.

Only 49 Holden dealers across Australia will sell and service the new Volt electric car when it goes on sale later this year.

Sales at David Jones fell by about three per cent in the three months to April, and the retailer is gearing up for a big end of financial year clearance.

Weaker than expected retail trade numbers are unlikely to persuade Australia's central bank to cut interest rates in June.

Coles plans to increase the size of its supermarkets as it continues its battle with Woolworths.

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes has blamed brand distributors, not retail outlets, for higher prices in Australian stores.

Myer believes it can generate up to $300 million in online sales as women and young people head to its website to buy clothes.

Myer's third quarter sales have fallen and the department store chain has downgraded its forecast for full year net profit.

Retail spending rose for the ninth straight month in April but it is unclear whether the outlook is favourable.

Retail property landlord BWP Trust has increased rents on three of its Bunnings Warehouse properties, including significant jumps for two in Western Australia, highlighting the strength of Perth’s

 A dearth of customers and heavy discounting are expected to have kept Myer's sales in the doldrums.

Consumer confidence has posted a modest rise after the central bank provided a large cut to the cash rate on May 1.

Transport and logistics group Toll Holdings has warned of lower earnings in 2012 as weakness in the retail sector impacts on its business.

Blinds and curtains maker Kresta expects property sales to bring it back to profitability this financial year.

Beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil expects a higher underlying profit in the first half of the 2012 calendar year, despite tough trading conditions.

More than half of all Australians feel they have been personally affected the global downturn, despite the nation's strong economy.

The "bully boy tactics" of Coles and Woolworths are threatening the future of Australian food production, Australian Workers' Union boss Paul Howes says.

The success of a $200 million class action case against the property group Centro Retail Australia is a win for all Australian investors, lawyers for the shareholders say.

Australian residential building approvals rose 7.4 per cent to 11,501 units in March, while retail spending rose 0.9 per cent, official figures show.

Coles' supermarket-branded frozen vegetable line is to be completely home-grown.

Harvey Norman says its pre-tax profit for the first nine months of the financial year is down 25 per cent, as sales continued to fall in the three months March.

Major retailers such as Coles are to blame for national trucking firm 1st Fleet going into administration, the transport union says.

Wesfarmers says Coles sales has risen almost five per cent in the third quarter but tough trading conditions led to a 4.4 per cent fall in Target sales.

Motorists should see petrol prices fall by up to four cents a litre in the next fortnight following recent falls in regional oil prices.

Woolworths says higher third quarter sales volumes were offset by lower prices, leaving shoppers as the big winners as the supermarket seeks to woo more customers than arch rival Coles.

Retail spending rose for the eighth straight month in March as consumers overcame a lack of confidence in the economy and spent more of their money on services such as entertainment.

Safety boot manufacturer Footwear Industries has been given the luxury of picking and choosing Australian distributors as demand for its Steel Blue brand increases.

On-target retail trade figures reflect a sector experiencing structural change, economists say.