Flight Centre's profits hit as airfares reach record lows

Australia's biggest listed travel agent has warned its first-half underlying profit could fall by nearly a third amid record low airfares at home and overseas, sending its shares lower.

27 stores to close after Pumpkin Patch collapse

Twenty-seven stores are set to close and 145 people are set to lose their jobs following the collapse of childrenswear retailer Pumpkin Patch.

Discount department stores face testing times

• ANALYSIS

Australia's $80 billion general apparel sector is at a crossroads and it's the end of the line for at least one of Australia's three discount department store chains.

50 Caltex stations under investigation

Oil giant Caltex is in damage control as it widened an internal investigation to include the Rana family, one of its largest franchisee groups.

David Jones junior to hit affluent inner city burbs

David Jones plans to take luxury to Australia's affluent near-city suburbs with a bespoke, boutique format.

Is the Fitbit trend over? Shares plunge 30%

The wearable fitness device maker's revenue forecast for the key-Christmas shopping quarter fell well short of analysts' estimates, hurt by stiff competition from rival device makes.

Woolies or bullies – the court will decide

Woolworths have a history of very poor form when it comes to treatment of suppliers – both large and small.

Fair Work gives dodgy operators an edge

Here we go again. This time it is oil giant Caltex embroiled in allegations of worker exploitation happening across a national franchise network of more than 650 stores.

'Too much detail' in our company accounts, says Gerry Harvey

Billionaire retailer Gerry Harvey has defended how his sprawling retail empire reports its financial performance and shrugged off calls by a proxy adviser to draw back the veil on the complex relationship between Harvey Norman's head office and the franchised store network.

Woolworths 'just greedy,' ACCC tells court

The ACCC has challenged Woolworths' claim that asking suppliers for money to prop up profits was "entirely reasonable".

Aldi's billion-dollar fresh food push

The supermarket wars are set to heat up another notch as Aldi is embarking on a major store overhaul and investing in fresh produce as its grapples with slowing sales growth from its mature east coast store network.

'Perfectly normal': Ex-Woolies exec defends 'gap' payments

Woolworths' former commercial director has disputed the ACCC's allegations that asking suppliers for large extra sums of cash to make up for lost profits was illegal, telling a Sydney court that the practice was "perfectly normal".

'Slapdash, haphazard and unreasonable'

In a case that could have long-term ramifications for the supermarket sector, Woolworths is facing a showdown with the competition regulator.

McDonald's on track for $5b Aussie sales

Fast-food giant says store traffic, sales growing over past two years.

Sketchy Skechers figures challenge RCG

Hedge funds target Australia's largest footwear retailer after disappointing result from US brand Skechers.

Woolworths: 'We're just a little bit better every week'

Retail giant Woolworths says $1 billion in price cuts has paid dividends, continues talks to sell its petrol business.

JB Hi-Fi enjoys Dick Smith bonus

JB Hi-Fi is riding high of a wave of former Dick Smith customers and optimistic it can transform this surge of shoppers into a Christmas bounty as it looks to integrate the Good Guys into its operation. 

Blackmores shares slump as growth fades

Blackmores' shares have hit new lows below $100 as it warned its full-year result would fall short of last year's record.

7-Eleven, sex slaves targeted by migrant taskforce

Domestic slavery, sex slaves and scandal-ridden convenience store chain 7-Eleven are top of the agenda for a new powerful government-run migrant taskforce headed by Professor Allan Fels.

Coles promises to keep cutting prices

​Wesfarmers boss Richard Goyder has promised to keep cutting prices at Coles supermarkets to protect the chain's competitive advantage over resurgent rival Woolworths.

Pumpkin Patch appoints administrators

Children's clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch has been tipped into receivership by its lenders and has appointed voluntary administrators after failing to reinvent itself in the face of shrinking sales and too much debt.

Rags and riches: Premier Investments CEO's pay soars

Solomon Lew-controlled rag trader Premier Investments could be tempting another strike from its shareholders.

Coles under pressure as sales disappoint

The supermarket giant has seen sales growth fall below 2 per cent after it slashed prices in its battle against a resurgent Woolworths.

Bleeding from the Temple: furniture retailer losing $800,000 a month

Newly appointed chief Mark Coulter considers how the homeware brand could translate into a physical store network in the future.

John Skippen steps down from Super Retail Group

The sport and leisure goods retailer said profit was in line with budget so far this financial year but group sales had been below expectations.

Coca-Cola Amatil's plan lacks fizz

Coca-Cola Amatil's plans to launch a ginger-flavoured Coke, to cut at least another $100 million in costs and to review its investment in fruit and vegetable processor SPC Ardmona have failed to convince some analysts the soft drink giant has the right formula.

Supermarket sales lift lid on competition to be Australia's most successful supermarket

Coles and Woolworths will share their first quarter sales results this week, lifting the lid on the battle to be Australia's most successful supermarket.

Retailers cash in on Halloween bounty

Australians will spend more than ever on Halloween this year as retailers cash in on the spooky celebration to drive sales in the lull between the football finals and Christmas.

Coke hopes ginger can restore its fizz

Don't fancy a Cherry Coke? Vanilla Coke not for you? How about a Ginger Coke?