Retail

Retail spending is continuing to maintain a low growth rate as optimism about the global economy improves, economists say.

Internet-based shopping is growing at ten times the pace of the struggling traditional retail sector, with annual sales surpassing $10 billion for the first time.

Motorists can kiss goodbye to cheap petrol from tomorrow, with prices set to hit $1.55 as world oil prices surge due to supply concerns in the Middle East.

Woolworths aims to chalk up $1 billion in online sales within two years as it works to ensure all of its businesses are trading on the web by the end of 2015.

Loyal David Jones customers are spending more than they did before the financial crisis, but the department store chain is reluctant to call the bottom of the market just yet.

Western Australia's peak union body has lashed out at Premier Colin Barnett over comments he made that Sunday retail workers should not be paid such high hourly rates.

Beverages supplier Coca-Cola Amatil says markets in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea are its strongest performers, and boosting investments there will be a high priority in 2012.

Fast food chain Red Rooster has signed up to a national audit to ensure its franchise store workers are not being underpaid.

Perth shoppers may finally have the freedom of those in other capital cities, with a Sunday trading bill introduced to state parliament today.

Billabong shares swelled by more than eight per cent amid speculation that a fresh takeover offer could trigger more bids for the troubled retailer.

Australia's two most powerful supermarket players, Woolworths and Coles, have increased their dominance on a global scale after being named among the top 21 retailers in the world.

Three former directors of national whitegoods distributor Kleenmaid have been charged with defrauding a bank of $13 million.

Billabong shares have been placed in a trading halt amid reports it received a $A776 million takeover bid from US private equity giant TPG.

Wesfarmers has bucked the job shedding trend with plans to employ more people this year at Coles and its other retail chains, after underwhelming the market with a flat first half profit result.

Shopping centre giant Westfield is upbeat about the future of retail sales in Australia despite overriding consumer caution and economic uncertainty abroad.

The Carramar Village shopping centre in Wanneroo has hit the market, with CBRE Perth appointed as selling agents.

Home entertainment retailer JB Hi-Fi expects sales to increase in 2012 as shoppers recover from a bout of post-Christmas fatigue.

A motorists' lobby group says the competition and consumer watchdog has the power to crack down on petrol price gouging by supermarkets and other fuel retailers.

The Western Australian electric scooter company that helps transport postmen in Spain and police in the Czech Republic has announced its first shipment to Malaysia.

Consumer prices rose in January, as the cost of utilities and transport increased.

 Retail sales figures for December were poor but a rebound is expected once the full affect of recent interest rate cuts sinks in, economists say.

Wesfarmers' largest business, Coles, has recorded its best ever Christmas sales in 2011 as the supermarket chain continues to lure customers away from rival Woolworths.

Australian entrepreneur Dick Smith fears the electronics chain he founded could be sold to foreign owners by retail giant Woolworths.

Australian fruit and vegetable growers fear they will become the latest victims in the supermarket price wars after Coles slashed its fresh produce prices.

Woolworths says its first half sales rose five per cent to $29.7 billion despite the supermarket giant facing subdued consumer confidence and falling prices.

Horrid summer weather could spoil the party for food and liquor retailers this Australia Day, as people cancel their traditional barbecues.

Buying Australian-made or grown goods creates local jobs and helps the economy, a consumer group says.

Western Australia’s resources sector has applauded the now bi-partisan support for Sunday trading, saying the added vibrancy from more open shops may help attract more migrants from the eastern sta

Newly-installed state Labor Leader Mark McGowan has confirmed the party will support the introduction of Sunday trading and will not revoke any approvals for uranium mines in Western Australia, in

Western Australia ran a close second to Tasmania in recording the biggest drop in new car sales in 2011, with local sales falling by 7,961.

Super Retail Group has bucked the general weakness in national retail trade, reporting a solid lift in half year sales and being rewarded with a lift in its share price.

West Australian shoppers are expected to defy the economic gloom over Christmas by spending a record $3 billion.