December 2024
Coca-Cola buys collapsed Billson’s ready-to-drink spirits unit
The NYSE-listed soft drink giant has acquired the business from the administrator, with the Cowan family to retain the smaller cordials and soda operations.
Succession drama at Elders triggers huge protest vote again
A botched succession planning process where CEO Mark Allison was re-hired after the company signalled that he would be stepping down has enraged shareholders.
SPC bets Australian-made can outflank cheap Italian tomatoes
Robert Iervasi ran Australia’s biggest beer group selling Victoria Bitter and Carlton Draught. The newest face on the ASX wants to be just as iconic.
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- Retail
Myer’s mega-expansion guards against Temu and Shein threat: expert
The independent assessors of the retailer’s proposed purchase of five Premier Investments chains say scale is needed to compete against cheap global giants.
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Stuck for gift ideas? Here are 56 popular items this Christmas
Australian shoppers are spending with surprising gusto on gadgets, appliances, fashionable drink bottles, cosmetics gift sets and cult skincare products.
Why grapes (for eating) are so expensive
Australians are increasing consumption of table grapes in a near $1 billion industry whose exports to China were unscathed when the wine industry was hit hard by tariffs.
Bordeaux, Napa, Ningxia? Penfolds elevates China to prestige terroir
Treasury Wine Estates has bought a 75 per cent stake in Stone & Moon winery in a $27.5m bet that Chinese wine will one day rival prestige regions.
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Westview plans $750m steel mill for Brisbane as Gupta woes worsen
The privately owned supplier of reinforced steel rods is concerned about being too reliant on Chinese imports, and wants the new plant to be operating by 2027.
$3 hot dogs and a mini-shop behind $1.2b petrol bet
Service stations with the lot have arrived in Sydney as part of Viva Energy’s national rollout of the OTR brand, in a makeover that is 30 years overdue.
Pimm’s to rival Wimbledon: Why Adelaide is the new hot cricket ticket
On the Australian cricket calendar, one Test match stands out as the destination event that interstate fans and business executives flock to.
Collapsed drink maker’s creditors in line for just 7.4¢
The Victorian manufacturer of ready-to-drink spirits aimed high and grew fast, but ultimately it was cruelled by giant rivals like Asahi and Suntory, administrators found.
Making money from $8 burgers gets harder for KFC
Rising wages costs and energy bills at a time of consumer cutbacks crunched profits at Collins Foods, which operates 285 of the 750 KFC outlets in Australia.
Why this beer maker (and Nick Kyrgios) are all in on Gen Z drinkers
Low-carb beer group Stryda is raising capital. It says the percentage of Millennial and Gen Z drinkers will overtake Baby Boomers by 2026 – just don’t call it craft beer.
Pubs billionaire lashes rival’s ‘appalling’ Australia Day stance
Bruce Mathieson says it is “stupid stuff” for rival Australian Venue Co, with 234 venues, to steer clear of Australia Day celebrations.
InfraBuild woes worsen as Gupta moves cash around stricken empire
Confidential documents circulated among bondholders show the industrialist’s local steel assets fell deeper into loss and paid $28.8 million to related parties.
November 2024
One of the few remaining building groups on the ASX hits the gas
Maas Group was founded by former Rabbitohs player Wes Maas two decades ago. With three acquisitions in one day, it is turbocharging its expansion plans.
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- Retail
Harvey Norman sales fall behind major rival The Good Guys
But the company’s billionaire chairman, Gerry Harvey, says that the retailer is not losing ground to the JB Hi-Fi-owned appliance store chain on key categories.
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Amid a glut of EV supply, one car maker decided to become the cheapest
MG, now owned by China’s SAIC Motors, slashed $10,000 from its entry model. The big price reductions are one way manufacturers are keeping sales up.
Essential Ingredient failure spurred on by skeleton sales staff
A report prepared for creditors also said the gourmet retailer may have traded insolvent for months before its collapse in September owing $7 million.
Prestige new electric vehicles being sold for a loss by dealers
Demand for EVs above $70,000 is stalling, and the government’s tougher emissions standards scheme may worsen an oversupply next year.