Retail
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Retail news and insights for Australia’s small and medium business owners and entrepreneurs. Read the latest retail news, trends and features and entrepreneur interviews about the retail industry. Or search for retail on SmartCompany. |
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News
Costco names Australia as growth target but securing sites and planning approvals could slow growth James Thomson Costco chief financial officer says he hopes the retail giant can open “five or six” stores over the next three years in Australia. | Monday, 15 March 2010 |
Baby wear company Bay Bee Cino collapses James Thomson Sydney-based Bay Bee Cino placed in administration, just three years after undertaking a capital raising and unveiling plans to grow aggressively through franchising. | Monday, 15 March 2010 |
Small business furious as RBA reports suggest banks have gouged customers James Thomson Retail group calls for a six month moratorium on bank fees after a RBA report suggests the big banks have raised interest rates well above the increases in the cost of funding. | Friday, 12 March 2010 |
Data shows small business could swing Federal Election in key marginal seats James Thomson The National Independent Retailers Association will contact thousands of business after new research shows SME owners could decide the fate of 20 marginal seats in this year’s Federal Election. | Thursday, 11 March 2010 |
Older Australians will lead Australia’s retail spending surge: Research Patrick Stafford Retail businesses should focus on older, cashed-up demographics in order to take advantage of the forecast increases in discretionary spending over the next few years. | Wednesday, 10 March 2010 |
Grill'd founder apologises for bungled coupon offer as rival Nando's steals the spotlight Patrick Stafford A two-for-one coupon deal offered to university students has become an embarrassment for burger chain Grill'd after the offer went viral. | Wednesday, 10 March 2010 |
Federal Court slams online retailer for misleading and deceptive conduct - but sites have shut and director has gone missing James Thomson Federal Court finds online retailer OzDirect guilty of misleading conduct. | Tuesday, 2 March 2010 |
Retail sales grow by 1.2% in January, Tatts buys NSW Lotteries: Economy Roundup Patrick Stafford The Australian sharemarket has opened higher today ahead of the RBA's meeting where economists widely expect the board to increase the official interest rate by 0.25%. | Tuesday, 2 March 2010 |
Kmart’s Anzac Day trading application highlights widespread confusion for retailers Patrick Stafford The controversy over an application from retail giant Kmart to open before 1pm on Anzac Day has highlighted the confusion among the states regarding the day’s trading hours. | Tuesday, 2 March 2010 |
Footwear retailer Figgins Holdings collapses into liquidation James Thomson Figgins Holdings, which used to operate 140 stores around Australia, and owned the Midas, Emporio, Mollini and Scooter brands, has collapsed into liquidation. | Sunday, 28 February 2010 |
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Trends
PC sales set to explode Patrick Stafford PC sales across the world are set to grow over the next year due to sustained economic growth both home and abroad in the information technology sector, according to new forecasts from IDC. | Tuesday, 16 March 2010 |
Proposal for in-flight internet access submitted by ACMA Patrick Stafford The Australian Communications and Media Authority has put forward a proposal for the introduction of in-flight internet and communications services for passengers, but Telstra isn't so keen on the deal. | Tuesday, 16 March 2010 |
Choice calls for supermarket ombudsman Patrick Stafford Consumer group Choice has called for the establishment of a supermarket ombudsman, saying it would help solve issues relating to competition and fairness. | Tuesday, 16 March 2010 |
ACCC hits out at handsets Patrick Stafford The ACCC is hoping to introduce an industry agreement with mobile carriers in order to protect consumers' rights regarding faulty products. | Monday, 15 March 2010 |
Microsoft not so hot on employees using iPhones Patrick Stafford According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Microsoft staff are concerned by the number of employees using iPhones, manufactured by rival Apple. | Monday, 15 March 2010 |
Features
Award modernisation far from over Peter Vitale For many employers, particularly SMEs, the real spadework associated with award modernisation has only just begun. | Monday, 15 March 2010 |
How I... started an international business with $100 Patrick Stafford Emigrating from Poland to Australia in 1981 with just $100 in his pocket, Andrew Gorecki started Retail Directions, which now services over 70 brands. | Thursday, 18 February 2010 |
The Yanks are coming Patrick Stafford With the US economy still in the doldrums, US-based companies are targetting the Australian market for expansion. | Monday, 15 February 2010 |
Healthy growth Robert Bryant, IBISWorld Rising disposable income levels and increasing awareness about the importance of a good diet will see the fruit and vegetable retailing industry grow healthily. | Tuesday, 9 February 2010 |
The buzz on the beauty industry Robert Bryant, IBISWorld Despite hairdressing and beauty therapy increasingly being seen as a necessity, the industry is sensitive to changes in disposable income. | Tuesday, 19 January 2010 |
10 key economy forecasts for 2010 James Thomson While Australian entrepreneurs are entering 2010 with a renewed sense of confidence, there are still economic hurdles. | Monday, 18 January 2010 |
Sector cools off Robert Bryant The rising Aussie dollar and steel prices, and lower global demand will see subdued growth in the commercial heating and cooling sector. | Tuesday, 17 November 2009 |
The rise of the über metro Robert Bryant The rise of the metro-sexual, and in more recent years the über-sexual male, has seen the spending behaviour of men shift dramatically. | Tuesday, 10 November 2009 |
The power of CRM Nina Hendy The importance of building an emotional attachment with customers should never be underestimated. Using a CRM system could be the answer. | Wednesday, 4 November 2009 |
10 ways to prepare your website for Christmas Patrick Stafford With Christmas fast approaching, smart online retailers should be thinking about their holiday strategies. | Wednesday, 7 October 2009 |
Entrepreneur Zone
Alana Chang Patrick Stafford  Alana and Lauren Chang’s jewellery business Moi Moi is the diamond in the rough. | Friday, 4 December 2009
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Tony Nash Patrick Stafford  Tony Nash, founder of online bookstore Booktopia, has grand plans for Australia's first book vending machines. | Thursday, 12 November 2009
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Emanuel Perdis James Thomson  Emanuel Perdis, managing director of cosmetics brand Napoleon, talks about expanding in the US and encouraging female entrepreneurship. | Tuesday, 10 November 2009
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Paul Marshall Patrick Stafford  Online content aggregator Lasoo has bridged the gap between tech-savvy and old-fashioned customers by digitising paper catalogues. | Friday, 6 November 2009
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Andrew Cooper Amber Plum  Online retail site dStore is set to launch a bricks-and-mortar outlet. | Thursday, 24 September 2009
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A "haul" lotta success Amanda Gome  As an early adopter of Twitter, Scott Kilmartin champions the benefits of getting your business name known via social media. | Tuesday, 8 September 2009
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Zazzle's pizzazz Patrick Stafford  Brothers and co-founders of online retailer Zazzle, Jeff and Bobby Beaver went from running a garage operation to a $U250 million enterprise. | Thursday, 27 August 2009
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A bigger slice of the pie Patrick Stafford  Moving from a company-owned model to a franchise system has allowed Pie Face to change its capital requirements and its expansion strategy. | Thursday, 20 August 2009
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Lasting Momento Patrick Stafford  Geoff Hunt, co-founder of Momento, has cashed in on the digital photo revolution using a traditional medium. | Thursday, 6 August 2009
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The right reputation Patrick Stafford  David Meyer, chief executive of Kordz, says the key to standing out in the commodity market is putting reputation first and foremost. | Thursday, 30 July 2009
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