Harvey Norman's secret $62 million start-up

Harvey Norman has sunk almost $62 million into a secret start-up in the past two years, a retail joint venture that hasn't earned the listed operation a cent so far.

Geek-chic: How Black Milk became a global phenomenon

It all started in a yellow suburban house in Brisbane with a single plastic sewing machine, a blog, and a hope that girls somewhere would like these patterned tights.

Aldi's arch rival eyes Australia

German retail giant Schwarz Group has sought an Australian trademark for its 'Kaufland' superstore as it's sounding out the local market.

Alibaba posts $1 billion in sales in five minutes on Singles' Day

Alibaba Group posted $US1 billion of sales within the first five minutes of Single's Day.

Wesfarmers brands Trump victory a 'triumph of populism'

Wesfarmers chairman Michael Chaney has branded Trumps' win a triumph of populism.

Higher costs take bite out of Toblerone, shrinking UK bars

Higher costs in the UK, where a Brexit-battered pound is squeezing retailers and brand owners, have chiselled away the craggy Alpine shape of Toblerone chocolate bars.

China regulator warns e-commerce firms on dodgy 'Singles Day' sales tactics

China's business regulator said it has warned leading online shopping companies, including Alibaba Group Holding and JD.com, against adopting dodgy sales tactics at China's biggest shopping day of the year.

Woolworth dumps Australia's best known tinned tomatoes

Australia's biggest supermarket is taking SPC Ardmona's tinned tomatoes off its shelves after cutting a deal with a new South Australian supplier for the canned commodity.

Farmers urge Woolies to stay true blue on canned fruit

The Victorian Farmers Federation has warned the livelihoods of thousands farmers are on the line as Woolworths considers abandoning its $70 million agreement with SPC Ardmona two years into the five year deal.

Domino's has rivals licked

Domino's affirms its forecast for 30 per cent net profit growth even though new menus and ordering options helped fuel record sales growth in Australia in the first few months of 2017.

Aldi like that? Discounter cheaper for brands

There are dozens of identical branded products sold at Aldi, Woolworths and Coles. Fairfax Media finds out which supermarket is cheaper for people who don't want home brand.

7-Eleven sprung shortchanging some workers

7-Eleven has been sprung short-changing some workers potentially millions of dollars in back pay by changing the way compensation payouts are being calculated.

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.