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Retail

Today

Nick Scali CEO Anthony Scali has issued a profit warning due to higher than expected freight costs.

Freight collapse leaves Nick Scali furniture stranded, profits at risk

The failure of Lion Global Forwarding meant 200 containers were stuck at port, with the retailer warning for the second time in a month of an earnings hit.

  • 1 hr ago
  • Carrie LaFrenz

Yesterday

Woolworths boss Amanda Bardwell speaks at the ACCC hearing on Tuesday.

Woolworths suppliers put on ‘holiday’ for price pushback, ACCC hears

The competition regulator’s public hearings have been told some producers did not receive any orders from the supermarket if they refused to drop prices.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Ruslan Kogan, founder and CEO of Kogan.com.

Proxy firm tells Kogan investors to vote down exec pay

Ownership Matters told its clients to also vote against the re-election of James Spenceley following a questionable options deal earlier this year.

  • Carrie LaFrenz

This Month

Woolworths boss Amanda Bardwell at the ACCC hearing on Monday.

ACCC takes on Woolworths boss in rare intervention

The supermarket giant appeared at a public hearing on Monday as the regulator investigated the market power of it and its biggest rival, Coles.

  • Carrie LaFrenz and Tom McIlroy
Brad Banducci was back in the spotlight again on Monday, despite his recent retirement.

The moment the ACCC boss put the heat on Woolies

The competition regulator is clearly sceptical about the way the supermarket giants use discounts, and whether the market is really competitive.

  • James Thomson
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Greencross chairman Joel Thickins, centre has appointed Lucas Barry, right, as the new CEO to succeed George Wahby.

Greencross names new CEO as TPG eyes exit path

The new chief executive of the vet clinics and Petbarn and City Farmers pet stores arrives amid intense competition from Woolworths and other big retailers.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell and Coles’ Leah Weckert faced a 10 day blowtorch from the Albanese government.

Inside the two weeks from hell for the country’s biggest supermarkets

This week, Woolworths chief executive Amanda Bardwell and Coles’ Leah Weckert will have a chance to tell their side of the story in hearings run by the ACCC.

  • Tom McIlroy and Carrie LaFrenz
Chris Kourtis.

With CBA shares at $155, the IPO ice age is finally thawing

Fund managers and experts say 2025 should bring a more lively market for new listings, bolstered by interest rate cuts, new merger laws and pent-up demand.

  • Simon Evans
Sam Morton, founder and owner of SKDA Moto, which sells graphics kits to motorcycle owners around the world. He started the business from a bedroom when he was 18, and now counts British motorcycle brand Triumph as big customers.

How to build a $9m business from your bedroom

Sam Morton’s company supplies graphics kits for motorcycle owners – and had a big win when iconic British brand Triumph signed him up.

  • Simon Evans
New Woolworths CEO Amanda Bardwell.

Getting off the grog isn’t easy. Ask Woolworths

The supermarket group cleaned up its image after divesting from booze and pokie assets.

  • Mark Di Stefano
Anacacia Capital founder Jeremy Samuel.

Anacacia Capital goes shopping with homewares wholesaler Florabelle

Street Talk understands the $800 million private equity firm has invested in 42-year-old operation Florabelle alongside its founders.

  • Sarah Thompson, Kanika Sood and Emma Rapaport
Cettire specialises in shipping luxury products from Europe at significantly reduced prices to those that can be found in the brands’ own stores.

Cettire suffers from soft trade in luxury goods

CEO Dean Mintz says more of the online luxury platform’s margin has been passed on to consumers in hefty promotions.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Guzman y Gomez held its first annual meeting on Thursday after a strong debut on the sharemarket in June. Co-CEO Hilton Brett (left) chairman Guy Russo (centre) and co-CEO Steven Marks.

Guzman y Gomez thinks drive-through outlets are the future

Co-CEO Steven Marks says a full suite of tradies, families, commuters and those with late-night hunger pangs are captured at a drive-through, although they cost more to set up.

  • Simon Evans
Lawyer and hospitality entrepreneur Faddy Zouky.

When things went wrong for the cafe baron and the Chinese shoe king

The Federal Court has ordered that Faddy Zouky’s assets be frozen until he pays back nearly $9.6 million after a business deal turned sour.

  • Updated
  • Max Mason
Macquarie analysts said Woolworths and Coles may maintain incumbent positions but without a loyalty program with customer data and insights, it will not be easy or cheap.

Supermarkets face earnings crunch if loyalty schemes are dismantled

Macquarie warns of a drag on the performance of Coles and Woolworths if the competition watchdog disrupts their customer retention programs.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
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Coles CEO Leah Weckert with chairman James Graham at the AGM on Tuesday.

Coles chairman says cost of living has been ‘politicised’

James Graham told the comapny’s AGM that supermarkets are being targeted unfairly by politicians.

  • Updated
  • Carrie LaFrenz
Aldi’s Jordan Lack says the retailer has a unique model.

Aldi proves populism won’t cut grocery prices

Breaking up Coles and Woolworths makes for a populist soundbite, but Aldi’s evidence at the ACCC supermarket inquiry suggests it wouldn’t drive grocery prices down.

  • Updated
  • James Thomson
Quad Lock products are used to keep devices locked down while on the move.

Quadrant strikes $500m deal to offload outdoor phone group Quad Lock

The Melbourne-based business will be acquired by Swedish giant Thule. It makes products that lock phones to bikes, boats and cars used on tough terrain.

  • Carrie LaFrenz
Endeavour CEO Steve Donohue said the outlook for the consumer remains uncertain, and discounting remains elevated at its bottle shops.

Endeavour warns on profits amid sluggish liquor store sales

The owner of Dan Murphy’s and BWS is still ahead of the market and next biggest competitor, but increased discounting is hurting margins and earnings.

  • Updated
  • Carrie LaFrenz
John Cheston was running Premier’s Smiggle chain until earlier this year.

Sacked Smiggle executive John Cheston faces loss of $4m in shares

The board of Solomon Lew’s Premier Investments has unanimously recommended shareholders strip him of stock handed over as part of executive incentives.

  • Kylar Loussikian and Carrie LaFrenz

Original URL: https://www.afr.com/companies/retail