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Retail

Yesterday

Supermarkets are bracing themselves for the ACCC pricing inquiry to land.

Woolworths slashes prices to close gap on Aldi

The under fire supermarkets are looking to show shoppers and politicians consumers are getting better deals at the checkout.

Coles and Woolworths cracking logos.

No joy for supermarkets in the election – but safeguards needed

There is a good case for both Labor and the Coalition’s proposals, but they should apply to all big businesses.

Dion Lee’s collapse blows up the wealthy Levis retailing family

Rod Levis started a clothing empire that grew from Cue to Veronika Maine to Dion Lee. Now his son says he was forced out, and is demanding his share.

March

Steve Donohue wrapped up 30 years at Endeavour on Thursday.

Steve Donohue clocks off from final Dan Murphy’s shift

The CUB and Lion Australia bosses even put aside their business’ rivalry to share a beer with the outgoing CEO.

Accent CEO Daniel Agostinelli at the group’s Melbourne headquarters.

British giant Frasers to go big on Accent, roll out Sports Direct

The placement price is expected to be set on a volume-weighted average price basis.

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The Reject Shop is being acquired by Canada’s Dollarama in a $259 million deal.

Canada’s Dollarama makes $259m bid for The Reject Shop discount chain

The sale, with a big premium, is being supported by billionaire businessman Raphael Geminder, who has long been the variety retailer’s largest shareholder.

Former Australian Test cricket fast bowler Brett Lee became a co-owner of Sydney Beer Co in 2022.

Former cricketer Brett Lee’s beer company owes creditors $10m

Sydney Beer Co, co-owned by the former Australian fast bowler, owes the Tax Office $1.3 million after collapsing on March 11.

Jeanswest, founded in Perth in 1971, is again in voluntary administration.

Jeanswest goes under, putting 600 jobs at risk as stores close

Over 90 stores will be closed as the mid-market retailer, founded in Perth in 1972, goes into administration.

Toys “R” Us ANZ

Toys R Us auditor warns retailer’s future is precarious

Once one of the country’s largest children’s toys and clothes chains, the company has been struggling against intense competition from its larger rivals.

Coles liquor chief executive Michael Courtney at Liquorland says operating under one banner makes sense.

Coles to end Vintage Cellar, First Choice brands in liquor overhaul

The country’s second-largest supermarket retailer will rebrand 984 stores in its alcohol business as Liquorland in the biggest shake-up in decades.

Endeavour runs hundreds of hotels and also owns the BWS and Dan Murphy’s liquor chains.

Endeavour’s Ari Mervis reviews BWS owner’s sprawling operations

The company’s largest shareholder, the Mathieson family, said they were open to talking to “anyone who will help make this business succeeded”.

Winc delivers about 3 million orders a year to 39,000 customers.

Office supplies giant Winc flaunts billion-dollar revenue; sale flyer out

Winc is being shopped with a 6 per cent EBIT margin for 2025, with the sale documents pitching it as more profitable than ASX-listed distributors like EBOS and Dicker Data.

Faith in Danny Milham remains good despite the demise of Milkrun.

Koala schedules non-deal roadshow for IPO; $100m raising tipped

Should Koala progress with the IPO, sources said it could raise about $100 million for a circa $500 million valuation.

Led by Anthony Albanese, politicians have blamed Coles and Woolies for higher supermarket prices.

Why Ross Gittins is wrong about supermarket price gouging

Who would have thought oligopolies can sustain competition? Woolies and Coles have increased grocery prices less than British supermarkets.

Nick Dobromilsky (left) and Graeme Wilson (right) are King Island Dairy Co’s new owners.

Former investment banker relishes King Island Dairy rescue

Nick Dobromilsky, who grew up in Hobart, and business partner Graeme Wilson, are aiming to do better than a string of corporate giants at King Island Dairy.

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Solomon Lew says consumers are feeling stressed.

How Solomon Lew will win the tariff war amid ‘worst conditions in 62 years’

Consumers are feeling stressed and conditions are tough, but the retail guru is still looking for growth.

Premier Investments chairman Solomon Lew in Melbourne.

Billionaire Solly Lew hunts for health, cosmetics retail acquisition

After merging its apparel business with Myer, Premier Investments is now seeking an acquisition in the cosmetics sector.

The ACCC has found that Coles and Woolworths are some of the most profitable supermarkets in the world.

Woolworths, Coles warn more red tape means higher grocery prices

Disputing the ACCC’s findings that they have oversized profitability, the supermarket giants say increased costs will be passed onto shoppers.

Gina Cass-Gottlieb’s extensive look at the supermarket sector won’t change the underlying competitiveness of the market.

Why the ACCC can’t limit Coles and Woolies’ power

The two supermarkets will cop more scrutiny on their practices and globally impressive margins, but their long-term market position and power will stay intact.

After a 12-month inquiry, the ACCC has not come up with any smoking gun to support claims that supermarket price gouging is to blame for the inflationary cost-of-living squeeze.

ACCC fails to find smoking gun on supermarket price-gouging

After a 12-month inquiry, the regulator has not been able to support claims that Coles and Woolworths are to blame for the inflationary cost-of-living squeeze.

Woolworths and Coles account for 67 per cent of all supermarket sales and have increased their market share over the period since the previous ACCC review of the sector in 2008.

Why Aussie consumers are losing the supermarket wars

While there is no silver bullet, the ACCC has some recommendations to improve competition in the sector.

Coles is faces 54 per cent more crime and theft incidents in its Victorian shops than NSW.

Coles names Victoria as Australia’s supermarket theft capital

Other grocery retailers are also warning about a rise in shoplifting in the state, suggesting criminal organisations are becoming more brazen.

New Myer boss Olivia Wirth has a challenge in her new warehouse.

Rebellious robots and trapped stock: Inside Myer’s warehouse woes

Myer’s executive chairwoman Olivia Wirth is making reasonable progress on her turnaround of the retailer – but she’s got two problems. 

Myer executive chairman Olivia Wirth.

Myer warns sales are falling, outlines $12m logistics breakdown

The department store chain is in the midst of merging with five fashion brands formerly owned by Premier Investments. Sales have fallen in the past few weeks.

The owner of Dan Murphy’s, Endeavour, is still looking for a permanent replacement for its departed chief executive Steven Donohue.

Endeavour chairman faces restive investors at private meetings

Ari Mervis was appointed executive chairman of the Dan Murphy’s operator after the company could not find a new chief executive. Some shareholders are unhappy.

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