Retail

Retailer Ray Della-Polina says there are lessons for the business community in the failure of his Malz business.

Diversified conglomerate Wesfarmers is upbeat on the outlook for its businesses after its flagship division, Coles, lifted its first-half earnings more than 7 per cent.

Shares in The Reject Shop have jumped by more than 9 per cent on signs its sales are picking up, but profit was down for the half-year.

WA outperformed most states in December's retail spending results, and with an interest rate cut and falling petrol prices, there are hopes of a retail revival.

Food and beverage operators are leading a revival for high street retail property, with Beaufort Street, Oxford Street and Albany Highway buzzing, and depressed centres Rokeby Road and Bay View Ter

Personal loan provider and pawn broker Cash Converters International issued $23 million in loans in December, a new record, as its online business continued to grow.

Property investor BWP Trust has purchased a Bunnings Warehouse in Melbourne from Bunnings Group for about $32 million.

Retail spending is still soft, as weak consumer confidence outweighs any boost from falling petrol prices.

JB Hi-Fi announced a small slide in its first-half profit and forecast a flat full-year result, while outdoor clothing retailer Kathmandu lost a quarter of its market value after a warning of a first half loss led to a sharp drop in its share price.

Former Coles boss Ian McLeod will leave parent company Wesfarmers to accept a post in the United States.

Harvey Norman shares have gained as much as 9 per cent amid frenzied buying activity for the retail giant.

A new report by Deloitte has found 37 of the world's top 250 retailers are now operating in Australia, 23 of which have set up shop in Western Australia.

Retail trade was virtually unchanged in November, weighed down by a flat result in department store spending.

Christmas came late to many retailers in 2014, with customers leaving it until immediately before or after the big day to hit the shops.

National car sales dropped in 2014, with Western Australia experiencing by far the biggest slide of all of the mainland states.

Perth company Audiofly is hoping to replicate strong export sales during the past three years with the opening of a new store and headquarters on King Street in the city.

Coles will pay $11.25 million in fines and costs but could end up paying more than double that refunding its suppliers, after a court agreed to the supermarket giant's settlement with the competition watchdog.

Supermarket giant Coles has apologised and offered refunds to suppliers after admitting it crossed the line with many of them.

Retail spending has risen for the fifth consecutive month, helped by solid gains in the household goods and department stores category.

Woolworths has won the exclusive rights to distribute the famous Hills brand of clotheslines and garden products.

Shares in grocery wholesaler Metcash have dived 13 per cent after the IGA Supermarkets brand owner flagged a slide of more than 20 per cent in its full-year earnings.

Twenty years after Wesfarmers bought Bunnings in a contentious takeover, we reflect on the family that started one of Australia's biggest retail successes.

Cash Converters International says it plans to raise $45 million to help terminate commissions to development agents on its rapidly growing personal loans business.

Electronics retailer Dick Smith is on track to lift half year sales by about 10 per cent.

Retail giant Woolworths is on track to lift its annual profit by up to 7 per cent despite softer-than-expected first quarter sales.

Harvey Norman shareholders have overwhelmingly rejected founder and chairman Gerry Harvey's salary, but he says nothing is going to change.

Wesfarmers has donated $5 million to the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research to help recruit a leader for what will be the first centre in Western Australia to focus on women's cancers.

Wesfarmers has reported direct community investment of $44.6 million for the 2013-14 financial year, with social welfare and health the largest areas of expenditure.

Property investor BWP Trust has announced plans to purchase a site in Australind, near Bunbury, where associated company Bunnings Group intends to build a new warehouse store.

Myer chairman Paul McClintock has again taken a swipe at GST laws, saying they are unfair and harming trade.

Wesfarmers attracted a record 1,700 shareholders to its annual meeting today, where it marked 100 years in the business, but it was also the subject of protests and criticism.

The competition regulator is allowing struggling clothing maker Pacific Brands to sell its workwear business to Wesfarmers.