Retail

Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder has defended grocery giant Coles' relationship with farmers, saying the high dollar and government regulations are a weight on the agricultural sector.

More than three quarters of Western Australians are planning to shop online this Christmas, according to a new survey released today.

Westfield Group has terminated an agreement that would have allowed it to sell the Innaloo shopping centre for $255 million to Charter Hall Group.

Retail spending continues to improve, driven by department store sales, reflecting the bounce in consumer confidence since the September federal election.

David Jones is upbeat ahead of the busy Christmas season as the upmarket department store chain enjoys a healthy post-election boost in sales.

Accounting for nearly 20 per cent of economic activity in Australia, retail sales are critically important to fill the gap left by the slowdown in mining investment.

Woolworths has enjoyed a three per cent sales increase despite subdued retail conditions, with its supermarkets, petrol stations and hardware stores posting gains.

The grocery industry has warned that a price war between the nation's big two supermarket chains could hurt consumers in the long run if food suppliers don't have money to invest in their businesses.

Wesfarmers chief executive Richard Goyder says Australia's supermarket trade is not a duopoly controlled by Coles and Woolworths and online retailer Amazon is a far greater threat to local retailing.

Wesfarmers has reported generally positive quarterly sales results from its retail businesses, with Bunnings achieving the most rapid growth while Coles' supermarkets and liquor stores lifted turno

Paul Zahra has cited personal reasons for stepping down as chief executive of high-end department store chain David Jones.

Fremantle Ports is hoping to revive the stalled $350 million revamp of Victoria Quay, part of nearly $1 billion of proposed new developments in the City of Fremantle.

Retail giant Woolworths has appealed to the Western Australian government to deregulate the state's shopping hours, while urging them to repeal laws which regulate what times cigarettes, pantyhose and needles can be sold in petrol stations.

Supermarket giant Woolworths has announced it will phase out the sale of eggs from caged hens by 2018 in a move that has frustrated the egg industry.

Activity in the services sector fell at a much slower rate in September, thanks to improvements in sales, new orders and supplier deliveries.

Retail spending has recorded its second consecutive monthly rise but growth in the sector remains sluggish.

Woolworths boss Grant O'Brien earned $5.7 million last financial year, just over half as much as his rival at Coles.

Harvey Norman chairman Gerry Harvey's annual pay remained steady at $1.03 million last financial year, as the company's profit dropped by 17.5 per cent.

Strong population growth and changes to retail regulations are driving shopping centre sales.

ALDI's imminent arrival in WA and continuing competition between the retail majors has sidelined many retail developers who just can't pay the big prices Coles and Woolworths will shell out for new sites.

The arrival of a clutch of new international brands in coming years has the potential to rejuvenate the city retail sector, which has been hit by softer spending and the extended shopping hours at suburban centres.

Retailer David Jones has seen its full year profit slide six per cent amid weaker sales and pressure to cut prices.

Shares in Kathmandu Holdings have jumped nine per cent after the retailer announced a 27 per cent increase in full year profit.

Another store at my local shops pulled down the shutters this week.

Two Bunbury shopping centres just seven kilometres apart are undergoing significant changes in an attempt to win over customers.

Struggling surfwear company Billabong International has appointed a new chief executive and struck a long-term refinancing deal.

Retravision's largest franchise owner David Dorsett-Lynn is so confident of the electrical retailer's enduring brand strength in Western Australia - he is planning to back that faith with two new stores in the Perth metropolitan area.

Australia's online retailers are more likely than traditional store owners to hire staff in the next year.

Retailers have urged the new Abbott government to hit the ground running to help boost confidence heading into the Christmas shopping season.

Australian shopping centre giant Westfield is selling seven US malls for $US1.64 billion ($A1.76 billion).

Myer chief executive Bernie Brookes has criticised high wages costs and the GST as the department store's full year profit fell by 8.7 per cent to $127.2 million.

Westfield Group looks set to offload its stake in two major shopping centres in suburban Perth just days after it was given the green light to increase ownership of the Karrinyup centre.