This Month
Metcash CEO calls for national rollout of new illicit tobacco laws
The company is the largest supplier to independent supermarkets in Australia, which have been hit by the surging trade in illegal cigarettes.
November
Two senior staff accuse Metcash CFO of bullying in stoush over bonuses
But the wholesaler behind the IGA supermarket chain has “categorically” rejected the accusations and says the employees were fired over serious misconduct.
August
Michael Chaney departs Wesfarmers with $1.7b gift to shareholders
The group behind Bunnings and Kmart said Ken MacKenzie would succeed Chaney as chairman as it delivered a solid rise in profit and a special dividend.
Victoria accounts for half the rise in crime at Woolworths stores
The supermarket giant is the latest retailer to use profit season to highlight an increase in crime and aggression against staff.
June
Private equity snaps up Aussie brand Doors Plus
Colinton is working with alternative investing platform iPartners to syndicate equity to its network of wealthy clients.
May
Trump’s Apple threat could push iPhone prices to more than $5000
Investors from Plato and Northcape are warning consumers could pay more than triple for a smartphone if the White House follows through on its ultimatum.
Bunnings profit margins lag US peers, boss touts consumer ‘trust’
Managing director Mike Schneider says big businesses which are successful and create jobs should be seen as valuable to the community.
Wesfarmers CEO says trade friction could cut prices for shoppers
Wesfarmers boss says his company is well-placed to weather any fallout from the US-China trade war.
April
Can engine oil be Bunnings’ next big break? Auto rivals hope not
The Wesfarmers-owned hardware giant has already expanded into pet care and cleaning. Now it sees a $1.5 billion opportunity too good to pass up.
February
Wesfarmers boss: rate cut good for consumers but inflation persists
The Perth-headquartered conglomerate delivered better than expected profit for the first half of the financial year, powered by Kmart and Bunnings.
December 2024
Bunnings hits back over market share claims
The Wesfarmers-owned retailer says assertions that it controls 70 per cent of plant sales in Australia are wrong.
November 2024
Retail veteran calls out Bunnings ‘monopoly’
Former Woolworths chairman John Dahlsen wants large-format retailers including hardware giant Bunnings to be covered by a mandatory code of conduct.
3D printing outfit AML3D in $25m raise via Bells, Shaws
The $87 million market cap company kicked off the $25 million placement on Wednesday morning.
Bunnings defends facial recognition after privacy breach
The privacy commissioner rules Bunnings breached its customers’ privacy, but retailer says the technology was to protect staff and stop theft.
Why retail was the Bunnings MD’s third career choice, and why he stayed
Michael Schneider found doing the thing he was passionate about helped make his career much more worthwhile than seeing it as a job with a fortnightly pay.
August 2024
Shareholders move against Metcash as hardware spin-out hopes fade
Street Talk understands influential shareholders harbouring concerns about Metcash’s Independent Hardware Group as Wesfarmer’s Tool Kit Depot ramps up its national expansion.
May 2024
Victa lawnmower brand hits the block via 333 Capital
US-based Briggs & Stratton is seeking to exit the region, carving out its Australasia division in a sale led by 333 Capital.
Wesfarmers flaunts its growth record, hopeful of lithium fortune
From hardware giant Bunnings and retailer Kmart, to the emerging lithium business and health unit, Mr Scott says Wesfarmers is well-placed amid a slower economic environment.
February 2024
Metcash in $300m raise, will pay 6.9-times earnings for Superior Food
Metcash is also acquiring South Australian hardware supplies business, Bianco, for $82 million, and Alpine Hardware for $64 million, sources said.
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.