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Consumer spending

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Chocolate prices are up by 33 per cent as the Easter season kicks off.

‘As high as you could charge’: Why Easter egg prices have surged 33 per cent this year

Retail prices have soared as international cocoa producers are rocked by bad weather.

  • Nick Newling and Jessica Yun

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The secret habit that gives me a ‘fleeting thrill’

I am a person of simple tastes. So why do I splurge on little luxury items?

  • Kerri Sackville
Amazon is becoming a larger force in the grocery space, selling everything from nappies and snacks to washing powder.

Australia’s $69b habit exposed as online shopping hits record

Eight years ago, the biggest online shopping platforms were eBay, Etsy, Redbubble and Catch.com.au – but the e-commerce landscape looks very different since COVID-19.

  • Jessica Yun
NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the state must prioritise growth in 2025.

The boom industries NSW must rely on to avoid a grim decade

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says NSW this year must focus on planning reforms – but delivering much-needed housing is not the only reason.

  • Matt Wade and Alexandra Smith
Harvey Norman executive chairman Gerry Harvey.

Minority government would be ‘terrible’ for the economy, warns Gerry Harvey

Consumers are holding up better than expected, said the outspoken 85-year-old retail billionaire, with premium prices helping Harvey Norman to solid profits.

  • Jessica Yun
Despite Kmart profits rising, spurred by growth in its private label Anko products, uncertainty over interest rate cuts could bring gloom on the horizon for the big retailer.

‘We’re not out of the woods yet’: Kmart owner says rate cut not enough to entice shoppers

Although consumers continue to flock to Kmart in search of better deals, Wesfarmers’ CEO remains cautious.

  • Cindy Yin
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Dreamfarm’s flat-design juicer ‘Fluicer’ has been ripped off by Kmart and Temu. Dreamfarm founder and ceo Alex Gransbury.

Alex’s invention made global headlines. Then he saw it at Kmart for $5

Designer and inventor Alex Gransbury saw his award-winning citrus juicer reproduced in a $5 knock-off – and there’s not much he can do about dupe culture.

  • Jessica Yun and Daniel Lo Surdo
JB Hi-Fi chief executive Terry Smart has warned that the price of white goods is set to rise.

Electric appliance prices set to rise, JB Hi-Fi boss warns

The electronics retailer has heard “chatter” among white goods suppliers that they are readying to charge more in coming months.

  • Jessica Yun
Australians tipped more generously and with greater frequency in 2024, with increased ease of gratuity-giving among the reasons proposed for the surge.

Despite rising prices, Australians are tipping more

Melbourne and Brisbane tippers were the most generous and Sydneysiders among the most frugal as Australians tipped more in 2024.

  • Daniel Lo Surdo
Catch.com.au will be shut down in the coming months.

Online retailer Catch.com.au to shut down; 190 jobs to go

The website has failed to compete with the likes of Amazon, Shein and Temu, and parent company Wesfarmers is cutting its losses.

  • Jessica Yun

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/consumer-spending-1ncf