Catie Low

AFLW puts some muscle into Cotton On's fight

Cotton On's work to get the AFL women in better-fitting kit is also kicking goals in its competition with the international fast fashion giants.

Target managing director Guy Russo is confident the chain can beat the international apparel brands in the battle over ...

Target wants to win 'small f' fashion battle

Target boss Guy Russo is confident the embattled discount department store chain can win the battle for "small f fashion" spend in Australia against international apparel heavyweights such as Zara, H&M; and Uniqulo.

Mitre 10, Home Timber & Hardware retailers and suppliers have put their support behind a new buying group.

New buying group to challenge Metcash model

A group of hardware retailers and suppliers have thrown their support behind a fledgling, independent buying group that will challenge Metcash's wholesale distribution business.

Bunnings' expansion plans for Australia reveal Wesfarmers' $705 million purchase of UK hardware outfit Homebase has not ...

Bunnings swoops on Masters sites to drive major expansion

Hardware giant Bunnings has capitalised on the collapse of its biggest competitor, stitching up deals to move into 11 former Masters stores.

Ian Robinson, executive chairman of Beacon Lighting, which is expected to open a record number of stores this half.

Beacon shines in post-Masters market

Beacon Lighting is expected to open a record number of stores in the next few months after battling through the liquidation of Masters Home Improvement stock late last year.

Woolworths and Coles have engaged in an increasingly fierce price war to win customers.

'Budget-conscious mums', Woolies revival forcing Coles prices lower

Woolworths' second quarter win over supermarket rival Coles has convinced grocery suppliers the turn-around is bringing shoppers back to Australia's biggest supermarket chain and they're backing the chain's brand-focused strategy.

Harvey Norman chair Gerry Harvey says demand for airconditioners had been "running hot".

Blistering conditions turn around Harvey Norman's sales trend

Sweltering summer temperatures on the eastern seaboard have rescued Harvey Norman's sliding sales growth as the furniture and whitegoods giant looks to its overseas retail outlets to drive growth.

Earnings from extensive property holdings spiked 91 per cent, largely from revaluations.

Property underpins Harvey Norman profits

Harvey Norman's $2.6 billion property portfolio continues to underpin the group's profitability, generating a $75.74 million value uplift and another $71 million in income.

Keeping the lights on is proving an ever more expensive challenge for the major supermarket chains.

'Electricity is going up by a fortune this year'

Spiraling utility costs are adding to the pressure on Australia's supermarket sector which is already battling the toughest conditions in three years, according to Coles.

Ritchies IGA chief Fred Harrison will use the penalty rate decision to employ more experienced staff on Sunday.

Penalty rates reduction puts the experience back to Sunday

Sunday is the No.1 trading day for many of Fred Harrison's grocery stores, and now he's looking forward to putting some experienced staff back on the weekend roster.

Catie Low

Business