Retail

A motorists' lobby group says the competition and consumer watchdog has the power to crack down on petrol price gouging by supermarkets and other fuel retailers.

The Western Australian electric scooter company that helps transport postmen in Spain and police in the Czech Republic has announced its first shipment to Malaysia.

Consumer prices rose in January, as the cost of utilities and transport increased.

 Retail sales figures for December were poor but a rebound is expected once the full affect of recent interest rate cuts sinks in, economists say.

Wesfarmers' largest business, Coles, has recorded its best ever Christmas sales in 2011 as the supermarket chain continues to lure customers away from rival Woolworths.

Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith fears the electronics chain he founded could be sold to foreign owners by retail giant Woolworths.

Australian fruit and vegetable growers fear they will become the latest victims in the supermarket price wars after Coles slashed its fresh produce prices.

Woolworths says its first half sales rose five per cent to $29.7 billion despite the supermarket giant facing subdued consumer confidence and falling prices.

Horrid summer weather could spoil the party for food and liquor retailers this Australia Day, as people cancel their traditional barbecues.

Buying Australian-made or grown goods creates local jobs and helps the economy, a consumer group says.

Western Australia’s resources sector has applauded the now bi-partisan support for Sunday trading, saying the added vibrancy from more open shops may help attract more migrants from the eastern sta

Newly-installed state Labor Leader Mark McGowan has confirmed the party will support the introduction of Sunday trading and will not revoke any approvals for uranium mines in Western Australia, in

Western Australia ran a close second to Tasmania in recording the biggest drop in new car sales in 2011, with local sales falling by 7,961.

Super Retail Group has bucked the general weakness in national retail trade, reporting a solid lift in half year sales and being rewarded with a lift in its share price.

West Australian shoppers are expected to defy the economic gloom over Christmas by spending a record $3 billion.

A free smartphone application developed by Consumer Protection will help WA shoppers easily access information about their rights under the new Australian Consumer Law.

Retail spending rose in November, a new private sector survey shows, despite major retailers complaining of weakening demand.

Billabong International shares have plunged by over 30 per cent after it forecast a decline in earnings for the first half of the current financial year.

Consumer products retailer JB Hi-Fi has flagged its first fall in earnings despite adding new stores, as the retail slump catches up to the seller of low-priced audio visual products.

One third of Fletcher Jones stores, including its Harbour Town outlet in Perth, will close and 61 staff made redundant as the administrators seek to save the clothing business through a sale.

A University of Western Australia report has found trading hours in WA should be fully deregulated, adding to a recent Productivity Commission report that also advocated deregulation.

Harvey Norman says it did not knowingly mislead consumers when it advertised 3D televisions in regional areas where such broadcasts were not available, although a court has found otherwise.

The administrators of Fletcher Jones will attempt to save the high-profile clothing retailer by putting it up for sale.

Consumers should check cyber security settings on their mobile devices before shopping online, an expert warns.

Western Australia is the only state in the nation expecting better Christmas trading than last year, according to a report released today.

Commerce Minister Simon O’Brien says a level playing field for retailers is one step closer after the passing of new commercial tenancy legislation through state parliament yesterday.

The Christmas period will be a challenging one for the retail industry, David Jones chief executive Paul Zahra says.

Another global financial crisis may be on its way, according to Bunnings and Officeworks managing director John Gillam, but he claims tough times are nothing to fear.

Western Australia's retail sector recorded the highest growth in the nation in October, further evidence of the two-speed national economy, economists say.

The future of shopping centre owner Centro remains uncertain, with no sign of when a court will deliver its verdict on the company's restructure plans.

Harvey Norman isn't expecting a wonderful Christmas season after consumer electronics sales copped a hiding in 2011.

Myer has reiterated that sales this fiscal year will be flat and net profit will decline as much as 10 per cent because of the tough retail conditions.