Retail

Australian consumers are feeling a little more upbeat but the nation's weekly measure of consumer confidence is still deeply in negative territory.

Wesfarmers’ first-half results have been bolstered by its Kmart stores recording a 114 per cent jump in earnings before tax.

Emergency services have contained a blaze in Northbridge that engulfed Kakulas Brothers' wholesale warehouse earlier this afternoon.

WA retailers were hit by a big drop in sales over December, down 4.7 per cent on the prior month.

Australian consumers have continued to favour Woolworths after the retail giant was reported as the nation’s most valued brand at $16.2 billion.

Australian retailers reaped the benefits of Black Friday sales after hitting a sales record of $35.9 billion for November, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

More jobs are available in Western Australia than the number of people looking for work, as strong demand propels the economy.

Food, housing and transport costs continue to smash households with inflation hitting 7.3 per cent nationally in the 12 months to November.

Tributes to advertising campaigns adorn Betts Group's Osborne Park office, an addition to the otherwise humble accommodation that suggests the business puts its flair into marketing its wares – dress and fashion shoes.

Revenue and profit at local independent food player Spudshed were boosted by pandemic-related buying, although Tony Galati’s company joined the ranks of those concerned about labour shortages.

Perth shoppers may continue to see product shortages for weeks, after flooding knocked out a major rail link for the second time this year.

Retail sales were flat in WA in October, indicating consumers may have tightened their wallets in response to rising interest rates.

Hit hard by four months of lockdowns last calendar year, national shoe retailer Betts Group has been buoyed by the positive market despite marking a loss for the year.

Fast-growing Perth business Wizard Pharmacy has engaged EY to find a private investor to support its expansion to 100 stores across Australia.

Automotive Holdings Group is facing legal action over claims it failed to disclose a simmering stoush before inking an $18 million takeover deal with European manufacturer KTM.

Property developer Jeff Leach has broadened his business interests with the opening a new medical centre in the CBD in partnership with former surgeon Eric Tan.

Retail spending was up 10.5 per cent in Western Australia in July compared to the same month in 2021, but most states substantially outperformed the west.

Wesfarmers boss Rob Scott has announced a “solid” full-year profit, and expressed concern about labour shortages and cost uncertainty affecting new investments, but is positive about next week's jobs summit.

Recent data shows Perth CBD retail vacancy rates remain the highest in the country, but upcoming projects might assist in its market recovery.

JB Hi-Fi says it made $544.9 million in net profit after tax in the 12 months to June 30, 7.7 per cent more than last year, as consumer demand stayed strong for electronics and home appliances.

Premier Mark McGowan says international factors are driving inflation, after Perth prices rose 7.4 per cent in the year to June, Australia’s highest rate.

Moves to lift the official cash rate show no sign of slowing, with the Reserve Bank indicating interest rates will need to be much higher to stop inflation.

About 9,100 fewer Western Australians were in work in June as the state’s jobless rate defied an improvement nationally.

Forrest-owned bootmaker R.M. Williams has enforced price increases across its range of lavish products as it grapples with rising materials costs and inflationary pressures.

The move marks the international makeup retailer’s second shopfront in Western Australia.

Retailers will be fined for using plastic plates, bowls and drinking straws from today after the state government enforced a ban on single-use plastics.

Luxury baby bag brand Alf the Label has launched a crowdfunding campaign to secure up to $1 million to increase its brand awareness and expand into international markets.

After nearly a decade on King Street, CHANEL has relocated its boutique to what has been marketed as the CBD’s new luxury precinct at Raine Square.

Shares in women’s fashion retailer Mosaic Brands fell more than 55 per cent after forecasting a full year loss, citing continued COVID disruptions during the trading period.

The unemployment rate in WA has fallen to 2.9 per cent in April, amid an environment of soaring inflation.

Retailers enjoyed a buoyant sales period during April compared to a year earlier, but ballooning inflation is eating into business operations.

DoorDash and the Transport Workers' Union have signed an agreement that sets out how Australia can ensure safety and fairness for contract or so-called gig workers.