The latest ABS Retail Trade figures reveal a rebound in retail sales, seasonally adjusted, with Australian retail turnover rising 0.7% in February following a rise of 0.5% in January 2015, while food retailing rose 1.2%. In current prices, the trend estimate for Australian retail turnover rose 0.3% in February 2015 following a 0.3% rise in […]
Rebound for retail sales, food retailing in February Read More »
Treasury has made the case in its Tax Discussion Paper for boosting GST revenue and said that Australia‘s GST at 10% is one of the lowest in the world with the OECD average just under 20%. Small business group COSBOA welcomed reform of the tax system and said that if zero company and personal tax
GST hike, tax reform flagged in Tax Discussion Paper Read More »
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has clashed with the Shop Distributive & Allied Employees union over penalty rates and warned that thousands of small businesses in the retail and hospitality sectors would have struggled to open this Easter due to the cost of penalty rates on public holidays. The ACCI and state and
Campaign highlights penalty rates issue for SME retailers Read More »
Woolworths was criticised on social media and by a Government Minister last week over its campaign for the ‘Fresh in Our Memories’ website that linked Anzac commemorations to the retailer’s logo, and promptly withdrew the campaign. Meanwhile, Fonterra was caught up in the Hepatitis A outbreak linked to imported frozen berries and pulled a television
Woolworths canned over ‘Anzac’ campaign, Fonterra pulls yoghurt ad Read More »
Swiss-based Nestle SA, the world’s biggest food maker, has reported first-quarter revenue growth that exceeded estimates as price increases offset weak sales of frozen convenience meals such as Lean Cuisine in North America. Nestle posted organic sales growth (less acquisitions, divestments & currency shifts) of 4.4% percent to CHF 20.9 billion (US$21.8bn). Price contributed 2.5%
Nestle posts solid first quarter sales but faces frozen meals, Asian challenges Read More »
Retailer groups are backing the move by Treasurer Joe Hockey this month after he said he would work with the states to introduce legislation to charge GST on intangible services coming into Australia such as media services and online low-threshold goods under $1,000. Taxing intangible media and online services is being dubbed the ‘Netflix tax’.
GST to bite online low threshold goods, ‘Netflix’ services Read More »
Keeping customers satisfied can be difficult for even the savviest of supermarkets, but South Australian chain Foodland is currently showing the competition how it’s done. Starting the year on a high, Foodland has taken out first place in the monthly Roy Morgan Customer Satisfaction Awards for January and February. In February, the Foodland achieved a
Foodland tops customer satisfaction stakes Read More »
The Murray Goulburn Co-operative Co. Limited (MG) has announced its first move towards an anticipated $500 million unit trust listing on the Australian stock exchange as it seeks funds to expand production aimed at Asia for Devondale long-life milk, infant formula, and its cheese and foodservice businesses. MG managing director Gary Helou has announced MG’s
Murray Goulburn’s Devondale brand set for Asian expansion Read More »
The exclusive distributor of 28 Black energy drink, AriZona iced tea and illy-issimo iced coffee in Asia-Pacific have announced it will operate under a new trading name, Level Beverages Pty Ltd. Previously known as Calidris28 Asia Pacific, the business was established in 2011 and later purchased by its managing director, Chrish Graebner. With a vibrant
Calidris 28 Asia Pacific changes name to Level Beverages Read More »
If the review of Australia’s competition rules recommend that the overwhelming advantages already enjoyed by the two major supermarkets be expanded, then the review itself can be described as nothing less than a failure, according to the Australasian Association of Convenience Stores (AACS). AACS CEO Jeff Rogut said by opening the door for the major
New competition rules to have opposite effect Read More »
A Master Grocers Australia/Liquor Retailers Australia national survey of attitudes to supermarket competition and market concentration in Australia found that a large majority of Australians – 72% – believe the grocery market is too dominated by Coles and Woolworths and that there is not healthy competition. The survey comes as the Minister for Small Business
MGA survey finds unhealthy competition in grocery Read More »
Debate is heating up over confusion caused by country of origin (CoOL) labelling descriptors such as ‘Made in Australia’ and ‘Product of Australia’. Claims were made of a conflict of interest by the Public Health Association, the Greens and others against the Government task on proposed labelling changes, due to the inclusion of Trade Minister
Country of Origin Labelling debate heats up Read More »
In a deal backed by billionaire investor Warren Buffett and Brazil’s 3G Capital, H.J. Heinz Company and Kraft Foods Group have signed a merger agreement. This would see the formation of The Kraft Heinz Company, which, according to a recent statement from the H.J. Heinz Company, would be the third largest food and beverage company
Heinz & Kraft’s giant merger may a ACCC scrutiny Read More »
