Weakened consumer spending puts a dampener on retail sales
When looking through the volatility of the past few months, retail turnover was unchanged in trend terms, reflecting a still high cost of living and elevated interest rates.
“Pretty tough for a while”: Retail spending dips over festive season
December is shaping up to be a softer month for official retail sales numbers after consumers jumped on discounted goods in November and budgets were dried up by high living costs.
Shoppers loosening their purse strings as consumer confidence returns
Online shopping, finance and insurance, and travel were the main drivers of spending growth, increasing by 3.9%, 3.6% and 7.6% over the year.
Black Friday trumps Boxing Day in popularity as shoppers expected to splurge
The National Retail Association expects there will be up to $6.3 billion worth of sales over a four-day period while comparison website Finder went even further and predicted a $6.7 billion spend.
Cost of living pressures see young people cut back on essentials
Spending by people aged 25 to 29 on must-haves, such as groceries and pharmaceuticals, fell 3.7% over the year to September, based on Commonwealth Bank payments data.
SMEs remain optimistic despite turbulent economic conditions
SME leaders retain a confident and optimistic attitude while keeping an eagle eye on the economic outlook, which is a healthy position.
Click Frenzy: Shippit data shows the peak retail season is starting with a bang
Shippit data shows the value of orders also increased this time around and is up 4.7%, from $107 to $112 per order.
Sluggish retail growth as consumer spending hits historic low
A 0.2% lift in retail sales was recorded by the ABS in August following a stronger 0.5% uptick in July and a 0.8% fall in June.
Why fashion brands have resorted to selling coffee
In the physical retail fashion sector, things are not looking good, so Ralph Lauren has opened coffee shops and very cool, mobile, branded coffee vans.
Will Kaufland “destroy” small business? Retailers voice concern about “special treatment” in planning process
Concerned small businesses have criticised a state government decision to take planning approval over Kaufland sites out of the hands of local government.
The bottom line: Why more in-store staff beats greater discounts every time
The new seventh floor at Sydney's David Jones is great because it has applied lessons from top international luxury department stores.
Understanding what’s driving the future of retail
Many predictions about the future of retail have emerged — and some common themes have emerged that are worth considering.