Today
Booktopia owner digiDirect snaps up video game hardware business Mwave
The computer accessories and hardware retailer had been backed by private equity firms including Anacacia Capital but fell into administration this month.
This Month
Cettire downgrades profit again, shares crash 30pc
A surprise trading update by the luxury platform reveals a big miss in analyst consensus expectations and the possibility of a capital raising.
David Jones slides into loss as private equity owner works its debt
Anchorage Capital Partners says it is “working on a new capital structure” to support the business amid challenging conditions for department stores chains.
Shein shifts Australian marketplace to Singapore, raising tax question
The Chinese online fast fashion giant, which has expanded rapidly with low prices and a large range of merchandise, moved transactions to an overseas entity.
May
Booktopia’s new owner swoops on library supplier James Bennett
DigiDirect snapped up the collapsed online book retailer last year and is using its high-tech new distribution facilities to find other growth opportunities.
JB Hi-Fi sees robust sales outlook on consumer demand for tech
Stores continue to perform well, but sales momentum slowed in the third quarter for the electronics retailing giant in a competitive market.
April
Baby Bunting’s novel solution to conquer parents’ indecision
The country’s largest nursery goods retailer says its research shows shoppers are mired by indecision. It is reworking its shops in the hope of boosting sales.
March
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.
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.
Mattress-in-a-box retailer Koala explores $500m-plus ASX listing
The decade-old start-up that expanded into homewares has engaged Barrenjoey as it assesses its options four months after the return of co-founder Dany Milham.
The six charts that show the consumer comeback is here
After two years of cutting back, Australians are finally loosening their purse strings as confidence rises. But a full-blown boom seems unlikely.
The Iconic shows early signs of a sales turnaround, powered by AI
The online retailer has been overhauling its business after several years of losses, and says the value of merchandise sold has been rising again.
Country Road sales, profit crushed amid restructure
Fashion retailer Country Road’s profit plunged more than 70 per cent due to weak sales, higher operating costs and a split from department store David Jones.
Quadrant taps Macquarie for Amart Furniture sale
The private equity firm has sought to exit the retailer several times recently, but now seeks to capitalise on increased consumer spending and a housing super cycle.
Liam Millward founded Instant at 17. It’s now worth $100m
With co-founder William Gao, the entrepreneur has snared new investment from Blackbird and European venture capital funds for the automated marketing company.
February
Temple & Webster shares gain as sofas, bathroom taps boost sales
The country’s biggest online furniture and homewares retailer beat market expectations for sales in the first half of the financial year.
Amazon CEO explains why he’s happy to run DeepSeek
Andy Jassy rushed to make DeepSeek’s open-source models available to his customers, in a move that will put downward pressure on the total costs of AI projects.
January
NAB helps Amazon bypass credit cards with new way for customers to pay
The bank will enable the online retailing platform to accept payments directly from bank accounts, via an Reserve Bank-backed system known as PayTo.
Young people are the happiest customers. 3 charts show why
Despite the cost of living, a cohort of Australian consumers is still willing to splash out $250 on a swimsuit. What’s fuelling their spree?
Wesfarmers to shut Catch amid stiff competition from Temu, Amazon
The rise of big international players has prompted the retail giant to wind down the loss-making marketplace, saying it’s the “right thing for shareholders”.