AP Eagers has increased its interest in Automotive Holdings Group by 9.15 per cent, as the takeover target appointed a former KPMG and Ernst and Young partner as its new chairman.
From expensive surgery to photo shoots and elaborate cremations, the multi-billion-dollar Australian pet industry is producing novel and profitable services.
Automotive Holdings Group has urged shareholders to sit tight on a $2.42 billion takeover offer from rival vehicle retailer AP Eagers, warning they may be disadvantaged if they agree to sell before the “highly conditional” deal is approved.
Woolworths will close about 30 underperforming Big W stores and two distribution centres over the next three years after increasing numbers of shoppers took their business online.
ANALYSIS: As many retailers struggle to deal with the internet revolution, Wesfarmers is undertaking two significant experiments in managing the disruptive influence of online trading to bricks-and-mortar businesses.
Coles will spend up to $150 million over the next four years to double its home delivery capacity after signing a deal to use tech from UK online supermarket Ocado.
The consumer watchdog is calling for an overhaul of Australia's product safety laws to help reduce the two deaths and 145 injuries it says are caused each day by unsafe products.
Consumer confidence "nosedived" last week as the GDP results showed the Australian economy had entered a so-called per-capita recession, ANZ Banking Group analysis said.
Coles is offloading management of its 87 pubs, including four in Western Australia, in a $200 million deal with private equity controlled Australian Venue Co.
Harvey Norman has lifted first-half profit on a strong performance at its overseas ventures, but sales at the company's Australian franchises were weak.
Wesfarmers is handing more than $1 billion of the cash it raised by demerging Coles and selling other assets back to shareholders in the form of a special dividend.
Woolworths shares have taken a knock after the supermarket giant reported a disappointing first half and flagged subdued consumer spending for the foreseeable future.
Coles' supermarket sales slowed during the run-up to Christmas, while the newly demerged retailer's first-half profit slipped 29 per cent to $381 million as restructuring costs weighed on the balance sheet.
Woolworths has become the first national supermarket chain to dump its $1/litre milk range, with farmers saying Coles and Aldi must follow if they want Australian dairies to survive.
Rebel Sport owner Super Retail Group is set to repay six years' worth of unpaid overtime and allowances to retail managers in an expected $43 million pre-tax hit to first-half earnings.
JB Hi-Fi has lifted first-half profit 5.5 per cent to $160.1 million despite volatile holiday trading for the electronics and home entertainment retailer.
David Jones chief executive David Thomas has resigned after almost 18 months in the role and just weeks after results showed an improved first-half performance.
Coles has signed a new deal with petrol partner Viva Energy Australia after predicting earnings from its convenience store division to plunge this year more than 60 per cent.
One of Perth’s most prominent fashion designers has announced the closure of an internationally successful label, but hinted at plans for something big in the pipeline.
Coles will make a $146 million pre-tax provision in its first-half results as part of a distribution network overhaul that will cut both costs and jobs.
Menswear retailer Ed Harry, which employs 93 staff across 19 stores in Western Australia, has been placed in voluntary administration with an immediate clearance sale of merchandise coming into effect as creditors assess the business.
Under-pressure retailer The Reject Shop says it expects half-year profit to match earlier guidance, but the firm circling for a takeover wants a clearer picture of the company's Christmas sales performance.
SPECIAL REPORT: Three businessmen will have more impact than most on the state’s economic future, with Peter Coleman leading an oil and gas revival, Chris Ellison building a lithium empire, and Rob Scott reshaping Wesfarmers.
Wesfarmers has appointed mergers and acquisitions expert Mike Roche to its board as it seeks out fresh opportunities, after offloading Coles and exiting the UK hardware market.
Cash Converters International has appointed Bank of Queensland's Sydney-based group executive, Brendan White, as its new chief executive, starting in March next year.
