Retail

Woolworths has overcome tough trading conditions in the retail sector to lift its sales by 4.7 per cent to $56.7 billion in the 2012 financial year.

Recent rate cuts and household stimulus have helped economy-wide spending rise for the sixth consecutive month in June.

Traditional retailers will get a better idea of their competition when official data on online sales starts being published next year.

Supermarket private label product sales have grown by an enormous 85 per cent in the past five years and will account for a quarter of the $86 billion Australians spend on groceries in the next yea

Supermarket operator Coles says the retail landscape is getting more competitive as big overseas retailers move into the Australian market, but Coles won't be expanding internationally at this stag

Struggling department store Myer is shedding 100 jobs in its latest attempt to shave costs during the toughest trading conditions in a quarter of a century.

Competition from Australia's supermarket duopoly is responsible for Darrell Lea's financial woes, entrepreneur Dick Smith says.

Striking Coles warehouse workers have been threatened with legal action by the company that manages the Melbourne site.

Traditional shopping centres will feel the squeeze over the next decade as shoppers demand more attractive experiences and increasingly move online, a property report shows.

Strike action at a key Coles warehouse will have a significant impact on supplies getting through to all Coles Victorian supermarkets, a union says.

Petrol station fuel price boards will be made more consistent and less misleading for motorists, the federal government says.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has been accused of using "brutal negotiations" to squeeze price cuts from suppliers to help fund a price war with rival Coles.

Automotive Holdings Group has beefed up its Rand Refrigerated Logistics division, acquiring Toll Holdings' interstate refrigerated transport business for $6.5 million, on the same day it offloaded

Retail spending is on the rise as cashed-up consumers enjoy the benefits of lower mortgage rates.

The corporate watchdog will investigate the $1.65 billion mystery takeover offer David Jones received from an obscure UK private equity firm.

Hopes of a $1.65 billion takeover deal for David Jones have been dashed, with the mystery British private equity group behind the proposal making a quick retreat.

Australia's rate of inflation has fallen to its lowest level since the global financial crisis, a survey shows, giving the central bank room to cut interest rates further.

Pacific Equity Partners is to acquire Nestle's Peters Ice Cream business for an undisclosed sum as the international food business shifts its range away from refrigerated products in Australia.

David Jones has been been approached by a UK investor, believed to be EB Private Equity, with a takeover proposal that reportedly puts an enterprtise value on the retailer of $1.65 billion.

Beleaguered grocery wholesaler Metcash is diversifying into the car spare parts business to help bolster its bottom line and will undertake a $375 million capital raising to help pay for the new bu

Retailers say they are nervous about becoming the "meat in the sandwich" when the carbon tax is introduced.

Australians are increasingly using technology to help them shop, with nearly 40 per cent having used a smart phone or an iPad to compare prices, research says.

The number of online orders to Australian businesses increased by almost a third during the 2010-2011 financial year, speaking volumes on the growing importance of internet sales.

Retailers hoping that two consecutive months of interest rate cuts will prompt consumers to lift their spending habits may be disappointed.

Struggling surfwear retailer Billabong International is expected to fend off more takeover bids after its share price dived to its lowest level on record.

Western Australian retailers are preparing to open their doors on Sundays, after legislation ushering in historic changes to retail trading hours passed through parliament yesterday.

Myer shares have slumped to a record low, but chief executive Bernie Brookes insists the troubled department store chain has a positive future.

Former WA Liberal leader Matt Birney has gone back to his revhead roots, taking up a general manager position at Automotive Holdings Group.

Troubled surfwear company Billabong has launched a $225 million fund raising venture and issued another profit warning amid tough trading conditions in the retail sector.

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.