Violet Crumble back in Australian hands after Nestle deal

A fourth-generation family owned confectionery business is bringing the iconic Violet Crumble chocolate bar back into Australian hands after striking a deal with Swiss food giant Nestlé.

Diana Ferrari to close boutiques, exit fashion as focus turns to footwear

The 37-year-old brand's shoes will continue to be sold online, and through its Williams and Mathers shops as well as David Jones and Myer. 

Shares in Gloria Jeans owner dive as it warns on profit again

The embattled owner of the Donut King and Gloria Jeans brands has again lowered its profit guidance, only three weeks after warning investors of a weaker than expected first half.

How Officeworks plans to stay a 'category killer'

Can the dominant retailer stay on top as the way we work and live change faster than ever?

Oroton battles retail landlords for its future

• COMMENT

Will Oroton celebrate its 80th birthday next year?

Domino's workers to lose regular shifts for 2¢ an hour bonus

A new wage deal struck by Domino's Pizza and the shoppies union will see part-time employees trade regular working hours for a 2¢ an hour pay rise.

Retail downturn claims scalp of fashion label Maggie T

• EXCLUSIVE

The retail downturn has claimed the be-scarfed scalp of one of Australia's best-known brands, with plus-size retailer Maggie T entering administration this week.

Billabong recommends $198m bid from Quiksilver owner

Surf brand Billabong International's directors have unanimously recommended a takeover bid from the US owners of Quiksilver worth about $198 million.

Yowie shares dive 36 per cent as guidance slashed, CEO exits

Yowie shares have slumped to a near-five-year low after the confectionary maker slashed its full-year sales guidance and replaced its chief executive.

Change is coming, but some retailers aren't ready for slavery laws

Some of Australia's major retailers are woefully unprepared for new laws aimed at ensuring their products are not made with slave labour.

Domino's workers to vote on new wage deal

Workers at embattled pizza shop operator Domino's Pizza will have a week in early January to consider a new pay deal the company says offers better terms than the current award.

Steinhoff appoints advisers, but says sales are strong

The Asia Pacific arm of stricken South African retail group Steinhoff has moved to reassure the market that it is trading well and is not reliant on its parent company or working capital support.

Fantastic Furniture owner hires advisers

The owner of brands including Freedom Furniture and Best & Less has hired financial advisers specialising in helping distressed companies, but says it remains profitable despite problems at its parent company.

Retail Food Group shares surge on debt deal

​Shares in Retail Food Group have rebounded more than 10 per cent after the embattled franchisor extended the life of $150 million worth of debt facilities to 2020.

Oroton set to be saved as major shareholder's bid accepted

​Oroton's administrator has accepted a purchase proposal from its largest shareholder that will keep the luxury handbag retailer trading and prevent a break-up of the embattled business.

Advertising funds in the franchise sector need closer scrutiny

• COMMENT

Franchisees across the scandal-riddenRetail Food Group are questioning how their advertising dollars are spent.

'Nerve-racking' time for shops as Boxing Day sales tipped to hit $2.4b

Australians are expected to spend a record $2.4 billion on Boxing Day, but bricks-and-mortar retailers are reporting smaller crowds.

Surfstitch CEO leaves troubled retailer

Troubled online sport apparel retailer Surfstitch, which slipped into voluntary administration four months ago, no longer has a chief executive.

This was the best-performing Australian stock this year

Listed electronics retailer Kogan.com was the best-performing stock on the ASX All Ordinaries index in 2017, with an annual gain of more than 300 per cent.

'We worked like slaves and no one cared': 7-Eleven worker

• COMMENT

When 7-Eleven chairman Michael Smith bragged about the lengths the franchise giant had taken to compensate thousands of underpaid foreign workers, he failed to impress underpaid workers Manish and Anshu Mehra.

'Tis the season for desktop shopping

A shift to online shopping has seen Australia Post process a record volume of parcel deliveries this week.

Hole in Donut King owner's earnings could get bigger, analysts warn

The franchisor of the Donut King, Gloria Jean's and Brumby's chains could suffer an even deeper fall in earnings, analysts predict.  

Myer and Ten: 2017's two epic corporate battles

• COMMENT

Myer versus Solomon Lew still has a way to run. CBS versus Lachlan Murdoch and Bruce Gordon for control of Ten Network had the strangest outcome.

Donut King's sharemarket bloodbath as investors bail

• COMMENT

When a company falls more than 55 per cent in 10 days, it speaks volumes about its credibility.

Retail Food Group shares plunge 25% on profit downgrade

The cafe and bakery giant says negative media coverage is making it harder to attract new franchisees or hold onto existing store owners.

'It's like 7-Eleven': underpayment rife at franchise giant

There are claims of rampant underpayment at RFG Group's stable of franchise brands including Gloria Jeans, Crust Pizza, Donut King and Michel's Patisserie.

Apple shoppers go cold on the iPhone X, analyst says

Apple customers seem to be opting for cheaper models of the iPhone, analyst research shows, suggesting that the company failed to cram enough new technologies into the iPhone X to justify the $1,579 price tag.

'Enough is enough': Why Sir Frank Lowy walked away from Westfield

After 57 years as Australia's shopping centre czar, Sir Frank Lowy has opened up about the reasons he is walking away.

BP and Woolworths vow to fight to save $1.8 billion servo sale

BP and Woolworths will fight to keep their $1.8 billion service station sale alive, accusing the ACCC of botching its assessment of the fuel market.