This Month
Posties back the death of daily letter deliveries to keep jobs
The Communication Workers Union has signalled it will support a shake-up at Australia Post as long as posties keep “meaningful, gainful and secure employment”.
- Patrick Durkin and Tom McIlroy
November
How Oroton doubled its profit after years of turmoil
Oroton chief executive Jenny Child said regaining relevance and less discounting has been key to recording another year of growth.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- Retail
Why Black Friday discounts could come back to bite retailers
In a desperate attempt to boost lacklustre sales, retailers have turned what was originally a short, sharp shopping promotion into an extended margin-sapping clearance sale.
- Sue Mitchell
- Exclusive
- Retail
China’s Temu takes off with Australian bargain shoppers
Six months after launching in Australia, the ultra-cheap Chinese marketplace is taking share from better-known incumbents Kogan, Catch and MyDeal.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Aussie brands still rule China’s downsized Single’s Day
Australian products from vitamins to infant formula are still hot sellers at the world’s biggest shopping event, which offered big discounts this year.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Christine Holgate revives quest to access AusPost’s infrastructure
The former Australia Post boss said she still believed in the proposal, despite negotiations taking longer than she would like.
- Nick Bonyhady
- Exclusive
- Conflict of interest
Deloitte accused of double-dealing Honda sellers
Honda dealers are suing their parent company, and say auditors Deloitte used their confidential accounts data to help the car manufacturer buy them out cheaply.
- Jessica Sier
Why Australia Post’s CEO was gobsmacked by his new office
The nation’s mail delivery service may no longer have a rock star chief executive, but chairwoman Siobhan McKenna says it now has a “rock solid” one.
- Patrick Durkin
October
Adore Beauty rallies as it sticks to guidance, defying gloom
The online beauty retailer said despite the tougher retail environment, sales and active customers grew in the first quarter.
- Carrie LaFrenz
Amazon’s one big problem
Huge job cuts have boosted profits across the big technology companies, but there’s a limit to how deep they can go. Amazon’s results show its longer-term problem.
- Nick Bonyhady
Amazon revenue jumps on web sales, cost cuts
Amazon reported solid quarterly sales, showing that corporations and consumers are spending as inflation has eased.
- Matt Day
Rosy e-commerce outlook drives ex-Rich Lister’s move into new shed
New Aim will lease a 31,500 sq m state-of-the-art shed in Stockland’s new $2 billion Melbourne Business Park as e-commerce drives the industrial market.
- Larry Schlesinger
Woolworths target PETstock to divest stores, vets after ACCC red flag
After a prolonged investigation, the competition regulator found several historical transactions by the pet retailer may have breached competition laws.
- Carrie LaFrenz
- Opinion
- AFR Magazine
Stores are releasing print catalogues again. Here’s why
Mail-order product publications, a staple of ’80s and ’90s department outlets, are back in fashion. Younger generations may be unaware it’s a comeback.
- Lauren Sams
- Opinion
- Retail
Rewards schemes race to beat new privacy laws
Changes to privacy laws could fundamentally change the way retailers collect and use customer data gleaned from loyalty programs.
- Sue Mitchell
September
- Opinion
- Opinion
Biden’s Amazon lawsuit another attempt to tame the power of big tech
The US Federal Trade Commission is launching an audacious challenge to the online retailer, but there are concerns they may be hampered by century-old US antitrust laws.
- Karen Maley
This ugly shoe is taking over the world, and making Brett Blundy a motza
From the French Alps to Bondi Beach, Hoka’s popularity is booming. Its local distributor, Accent, has plans to open up to five stores over the next 12 months
- Carrie LaFrenz
How fuchsia and lychee undies are reviving Step One
The online underwear group had a horror 2022, but CEO Greg Taylor turned things around thanks to brightly coloured underwear and dialling back US growth plans.
- Updated
- Simon Evans
Want to set up your own company? Quit your day job, says this CEO
Mark Coulter, chief executive of online furniture retailer Temple & Webster, answers our CEO Q&A.
- Sally Patten
Retail dealmaking frenzy reaches smaller brands hoping to cash in
Shelley Du Flou’s Vine Apparel and women’s bags outfit Olga Berg are testing investor appetite after a string of major transactions in the fashion sector.
- Carrie LaFrenz
