The $300b industry without an ombudsman

The Consumer Action Law Centre says ordinary people need a free, quick and fair way to resolve disputes over goods and services purchased in Australia. But retailers says cuts to corporate tax and penalty rates more important.

eBay threatens to block Australian shoppers

eBay says it will likely block Australian shoppers from buying goods from overseas if the government pushes ahead with plans to apply GST on all goods sold through the online marketplace.

Woolworths dives into data to build Amazon-proof fence

Behind Woolworths' revamped Rewards scheme is a data machines that's collecting and analysing buying patterns to deliver unique, digital catalogues to shoppers.

Coles, Woolworths staying away from super

Retailers' ambitions for financial services have dimmed as competition in grocery grows.

Japan's potato famine: the great chip crisis

Demand for potato chips has surged in Japan this week, with products on offer for 6 times their retail price online.

Record lamb prices slaughter Easter roast

Lamb's luxury price tag is forcing a rethink of a traditional Easter treat as butchers grapple with record red meat prices.

Myer rescue won't save hundreds of jobs at Marcs, David Lawrence

Hundreds of workers from Marcs and David Lawrence stores will still lose their jobs despite Myer's last-minute rescue.

Myer's rescue of Marcs, David Lawrence still likely to cost jobs

Myer has rescued troubled fashion brands David Lawrence and Marcs, buying the brands out of administration following their collapse in February.

Aldi boosts range to win bigger share of $90b grocery shop

Aldi plans to boost its grocery selection by close to one fifth as the German discounter chases down a bigger share of Australia's $90 billion grocery market

Woolworths makes cents of a simpler shop

In a move that's being touted as a simpler way for shoppers to stick to a budget, Woolworths is moving all its prices to round numbers.

Woolworths set to pay suppliers faster

But suppliers will continue to use finance firms to bridge them over until supermarkets' payments come through.

Coles plays catch-up with Easter checkout promise

Coles' boost to checkout staff for the Easter weekend is a response to Woolworths' over-investment in staff.

Oroton CEO follows Rose Byrne out the door

Struggling boutique handbag retailer appoints its major shareholder as interim CEO after boss of four years walks.

Hardware disaster continues to haunt Woolies

• UPDATED

Woolworths' disastrous foray into hardware continues to haunt the retail giant after law firm Maurice Blackburn revealed plans for a $100 million class action.

Supermarkets set to pass rising costs on to customers: Citi

Rising prices for electricity, meat, fruit and vegetables will flow through to supermarket shelves, analysts say.

The Reject Shop cops $93m share-price wipe out

The Reject Shop's share price has continued to plunge, as market analysts suggest the discount retailer needs to start closing stores.

Guys love to shop, and want bargains: retail veteran

Australians are the second-wealthiest people in the world. But when it comes to clothes shopping our tastes are cheaper and more masculine than you might expect.

From coffee shop napkin to mixing with world's great chefs

Dimmi has gone from an idea sketched on the back of a napkin to the biggest restaurant booking site in the country.

The Reject Shop shares plummet on profit warning

Shares in The Reject Shop have plunged after the discount variety store chain warned its full-year profit will drop by almost a third.

Taxpayers in dark over promises to German retail giant

Taxpayers are in the dark about government promises to lure one of the world's biggest retailers to Melbourne.

Former JB Hi-Fi boss takes reins at Good Guys

JB Hi-Fi group chief Richard Murray dismissed "chatter" about house prices in Australia and its potential impact on The Good Guys chain, which he claims is performing ahead of expectations after a tough start to the year.

United Petroleum blasted for underpaying staff

• EXCLUSIVE

Petrol giant United Petroleum has been blasted by the workplace regulator for rampant underpayment of workers across its franchise network after a series of raids.

Aldi to spend hundreds of millions on Australia's east coast

Aldi will open 25 new stores a year on the east coast and spend at least half-a-billion-dollars smartening up its aging fleet.

Is this man responsible for killing Australian fashion?

H&M; boss says the multinational isn't to blame for the demise of Australian labels as it sharpens its sustainability focus.

Coles kills life insurance offer

Supermarket giant's experiment with complicated financial product comes to an end.

Vita shares tumble on back of leaked Telstra document

• EXCLUSIVE

A leaked internal Telstra document has revealed the telco giant is considering taking back control of some of its store network, potentially clashing with its major retail partner Vita Group.

Fashion slump drives down retail turnover

Shoppers are resisting the urge to splash cash on new clothes, shoes and fashion accessories, driving a slump in Australia's retail turnover.

Lingerie chain Agent Provocateur to shut its doors

When singer Beyonce announced she was pregnant with twins, she posed in a veil with mismatched bra and underpants. That bra was made by upmarket British lingerie chain Agent Provocateur, which is soon to shut its doors in Australia.

Catch Group plans more buys, tripling in sales

"My vision is, how can I get people to start their shopping experience at Catch? If we can do that, then $1 billion is a drop in the ocean," online retailer says.