There is an unfolding employment disaster going on in Australia, but compared with Greece and Spain, Portugal and Ireland, we’re doing just great.
Retail
Essential: for big retailers, price and service are a key problem
New Essential Report data backs what we know about the changes in Australian retail, but with an interesting age-related twist.
Strong dollar will wreak havoc on the out of touch in business
The continuing strong dollar will have implications for governments as well as the Australian economy. It’s time we faced up to it.
Take a raincheck on that private equity move into retail
Private equity has performed poorly in old retail. There’s no reason why it will do any better as the sector faces major change.
Keane’s guide to the year in political garbage
Will 2012 see an improvement in the quality of public debate? Don’t count on it.
Retail and building data stick to the two-speed trend
A slew of economic data confirms existing trends in the economy — and it’s not all bad outside the mining sector.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Beware retailers, respect the Sigmoid Curve
Crikey readers have their say.
Gerry Harvey’s bizarre logic: it’s all your fault
Gerry Harvey seems to have a long list of reasons why Harvey Norman is “treading water”, none of them to do with the company. Glenn Dyer and Bernard Keane comment.
Political snippets: Some cheerful statistics
Better than expected retail sales figures and confirmation of the boom in engineering works were released this morning by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Your Say: Daily Mail readers' feedback: Why (in principle) European union is a great idea
Crikey readers have their say.
Sure it’s tough out there in retail land, but don’t blame the government
Mark McInnes’ comments are as silly as they sound. Consumer caution is as much to do with the higher savings (back to normal levels) of Australians as any crisis of confidence caused by governments.
Retail 2: why it’s not as bad as we’re told
It’s not just foreign competition and the strong dollar — other factors are important in retail, and explain why some retailers are succeeding when others aren’t.
Life after REDgroup — Crikey maps the bookshop closures
In 2009, the number of Australian bookshops stood at around 2270. Following the REDgroup administration, and other shop openings and closures, we know that this figure is now around the 2000 mark. Some suburbs and towns are now without a dedicated bookshop, writes Bookseller + Publisher’s Elly Keating.
Online retailing: the great Australian gouge
Australians are being charged far more for products than overseas consumers — and not just by bricks-and-mortar outlets. Crikey examines the expensive goods and the retailers’ hypocrisy.
Crikey Says: Crikey says: who killed REDgroup?
Everyone’s in a lather this morning over the collapse of REDgroup retail, the owner of Borders Australia and Angus & Robertson.
Retailers and the loophole that wasn’t there
The retail lobby against the internet has successfully seeded the idea that there is a GST “loophole.” But no such loophole exists and and if they think it does, they’re in a lot of trouble.
Closing the book on retailing? Publishers nervous at giant’s health
Redgroup Retail — owner of Borders and Angus & Robertson — has been forced to jack up prices, increase returns and extend trading terms with its suppliers, leaving publishers anxious about the industry’s health.
Wal-Mart’s world dominantion
The average American isn’t the spend, spend, spend consumer it once was and retail sales reflect that. But retail giant Wal-Mart’s international operations are growing at a huge rate.
Why big business will never kill independents
Reports of the death of independent retailers greatly are greatly exaggerated. Weird little micro niche, mum and dad businesses with great customer service are enjoying a renaissance.
Tips and rumours: Tips and rumours: Turnbull to be an independent?
Rampant rumours on Twitter about the possibility of Malcolm Turnbull soon leaving the Liberal Party and becoming an independent. Any truth to the rumour? Plus, how was The Age Christmas party?
10 good reasons to avoid the Boxing Day sales
Think you’ll score a bargain by braving the Boxing Day crowds? Think again. Holiday sales are full of false hope, dodgy deals and secret scams — not to mention the brutal bargain-hunter crowds.
Eating out boosts retail sales figures
Australian retail sales continued their recent erratic course with a rise of 0.3% in October, driven perhaps by our liking for eating out or eating cheaply.
Myer and the perils of the private equity float
There are three reasons why investors should steer clear of the upcoming Myer float, even if Jennifer Hawkins and Rebecca Twigley are flogging it: historical, macro-economic and Myer specific reasons.
DJ’s rich pickings from the PM’s cash splash
The naysayers who claim the Rudd government’s cash splash didn’t impact, need only consult the latest retail sector profit results.
