Retail

The federal government has moved to protect car dealers from the power of global manufacturers by increasing fines under the Franchising Code to as much as $10 million.

Retailer Myer has posted a massive lift in interim profit after a surge in online sales, yet investors were unimpressed and sent shares plunging on the ASX.

Growth in Western Australia’s internal economy was slower than most other states in the December quarter, while national output grew 3.1 per cent.

Harvey Norman continues to enjoy soaring sales through the pandemic after posting a 116 per cent rise in first-half earnings.

Afterpay is raising money to increase its stake in its US operations, on the same day it posted a first-half loss.

Relatively high confidence among shoppers and the continued drop in the unemployment rate saw modest retail spending growth in the first few weeks of 2021.

More than 13,000 Western Australian jobs were lost in January, including 9,900 by women, according to new labour market data.

Wesfarmers managing director Rob Scott has called for a nationally consistent approach to quarantine and lockdowns as COVID-19-related buying boosted sales across the conglomerate’s retailers.

Reduced public transport use, international travel bans and flexible work arrangements have combined to lift underlying earnings growth at Carsales.com and prompt an increased dividend payout.

Super Retail Group, which owns BCF and Supercheap Auto, has reported a first-half profit increase of 201 per cent as Australians looked for leisure alternatives to travel during the pandemic.

Coles enjoyed soaring sales during the second half of last year, buoyed in part by customers being forced to stay at home during Christmas.

Home furnishings group Adairs has had a bumper first half and customers will see fewer discounts as the company tries to maintain sizeable profit margins.

Coca-Cola's European bottling arm has sweetened its final takeover offer for Australian counterpart Coca-Cola Amatil by 75 cents per share.

JB Hi-Fi has posted record interim sales after customers scooped up the retailer's gadget and entertainment offerings during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Credit and debit card data has given an early indicator of how last week’s lockdown influenced spending in Western Australia, down 3.3 per cent against the same week in 2020.

Employers would be able to offer extra shifts without penalties to part-time workers doing eight hours a day under a proposal from retailers.

Retail sales were 14 per cent higher in WA in December than the same month in 2019, although they softened by 2 per cent compared to November.

Recently-listed candle retailer Dusk will pay back more than 1,500 current and former employees, following a payroll error.

Toilet paper, long-life milk and pet food have been among the most highly sought-after goods for Perth shoppers in the past 48 hours.

WA’s peak business body has backed the state government’s snap move for a five day lockdown, but the national retail industry association was less impressed.

Shares in Wesfarmers have reached a record high of $55.43 per share before closing at $55.25, up 1.7 per cent for the day.

Prices in Perth deflated 1 per cent in the December quarter, thanks to the government’s electricity credit, but there’s an underlying upward pressure.

Mark McInnes has stepped down as chief executive of Premier Investments, the company behind retail franchises Just Jeans, Peter Alexander and Smiggle.

Two retail groups which own the Supercheap Auto and JB Hi-Fi stores have reported bumper first-half earnings during the pandemic.

The company behind franchises Just Jeans, Smiggle and Peter Alexander expects its first-half earnings to rise by as much as 85 per cent following a spike in online sales.

Multinational retailer Zara and cosmetics chain Sephora are among the latest tenants announced as part of the $800 million Karrinyup Shopping Centre redevelopment.

WA's retail spending was up by more than 16 per cent in the year to November 2020, outperforming all other states.

Car sales in WA were stronger than anywhere else in Australia in 2020, aside from the ACT, although they were still down on the prior year.

A long-running defamation dispute between Rottnest Island retailers is heading back to the Supreme Court more than four years after it was thrown out.

Popular activewear brand Lorna Jane is being taken to court by the consumer watchdog for allegedly falsely claiming its clothes could eliminate COVID-19 and stop it spreading.

The internet’s influence on retail has accelerated during periods of pandemic lockdown.

ANALYSIS: About 110 shops in central Perth sit empty after challenging years in retail, but some in the sector believe now is the time to make their move.