November 2024
How a yearning for travel grew a 35-year-old overnight success
Diversification has been key to the success of these three fast-growing retail and travel businesses.
May 2024
Why Olivia Wirth’s top Myer role is a governance fail
Myer’s decision to appoint Olivia Wirth as executive chair and CEO has stunned corporate governance experts but has the full support of Solomon Lew.
Half-priced detergent every few weeks? Shoppers can smell a rat
Deep food and grocery discounts have become increasingly popular with consumers, but the cost is unfairly borne by suppliers, prompting calls for change.
April 2024
Why supermarkets ‘fell off their pedestal’
Building social licence is a significant opportunity for retailers but as the travails of the two big supermarket chains show, it can be easily damaged.
Supermarket payback: How to overcome suppliers’ fear of complaining
The interim review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct tries to overcome suppliers’ fear of retribution from major retailers, but it may not go far enough.
March 2024
‘Reform is needed’: why ACCC is looking at Woolies and Coles stores
Woolworths and Coles have opened 394 stores since the 2008 grocery inquiry but only a handful have crossed the ACCC’s desk. That may be about to change.
February 2024
Coles takes the lead. What will Woolworths pull up next?
Woolworths’ sales growth has dropped below that of Coles, prompting analysts to suggest it might need to act to improve price perceptions.
Online winners and losers emerge as Amazon, Temu and Shein ramp up
Domestic marketplaces have been hit hardest by Amazon’s expansion and the arrival of new players, Temu and Shein.
Retailers need to be smart about casual conversion
Retailers are up in arms over plans to change casual conversion rights, but there are benefits in having more permanent staff, as IKEA and Bunnings have found.
January 2024
Woolworths and Coles should act pre-emptively to avoid big stick
Targeted price cuts would dent margins and be distasteful for the supermarket chains’ investors, but might be less damaging than onerous regulatory changes.
December 2023
Retailers hope for clearer skies after ‘perfect storm’ in 2023
The economy managed to avoid a recession this year, but the retail sector was not as fortunate, with real retail spending declining for three consecutive quarters.
Health, the new frontier for Wesfarmers, Woolworths
Wesfarmers and Woolworths are uniquely positioned to disrupt the health sector by building ecosystems in partnership with insurers and care providers, says Jarden.
November 2023
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.
Cup Day rate rise casts pall over Black Friday, Christmas spending
Retailers are counting on Black Friday to save Christmas, but the latest rate rise could dent confidence and force retailers to discount more deeply.
October 2023
‘Venomous and dangerous’ distrust a red flag for Coles, Woolworths
Higher prices and a backlash against in-store technology are fuelling rising distrust in Australia’s two largest supermarket chains.
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.
September 2023
Retailers hope new stores will beat the spending blues
New stores are helping retailers grow topline sales but if conditions deteriorate, they may drag on earnings.
Solomon Lew avoids Myer showdown but has plenty of balls in the air
The billionaire retailer has never had so many balls in the air, including a new CEO for Myer and a potential break-up of his listed retail empire.
August 2023
Why retailers will need to cater to ‘sexy 70-year-olds’
The Intergenerational Report provides food for thought for retailers, which face an ageing population, slower population growth and the impact of climate change.
Retailers face triple-whammy challenge
The post-COVID normalisation in demand has coincided with a cost-of-living crunch and soaring costs, which will squeeze sales and earnings in 2024.