News

With Christmas less than eight weeks away, retailers have received a much-need confidence boost with the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) reporting retail turnover rose 0.4 percent last month.

Ian Daniel blogs about the OH&S considerations managers of a mobile workforce need to be aware of.

“Over recent years, responsibility for fleet safety has shifted from drivers to organisations and even individual managers – making this a growing issue for Australian businesses.”

Research in Motion (RIM) has made BBM Music available to Australian Blackberry users, allowing them to access a cloud-based community music network and share songs amongst friends.

Julian Smith blogs about how the online marketplace is impacting the take-up of new technology.

“Consumers are more receptive to purchasing low risk, inexpensive items online (such as music or e-books), and it will take time for people to become comfortable with the notion of buying expensive products..”

MYOB and PayPal have announced a new eCommerce solution allowing small business to establish a free website and accept online payments within an hour.

Two thirds of eBay’s top 3000 sellers say they’re confident this Christmas will be their busiest yet.

Australia has placed a close second to Norway in the United Nations 2011 Human Development Index (HDI), with the Scandinavian country pipping us at the post by 0.1 of an index point.

The title of the biggest Ikea in the Southern Hemisphere has been stripped from the Springvale outlet and claimed by the new Sydney store, which officially opened for business today.

Five entrepreneurs have reached the final stage of Nokia’s nationwide In Hindsight competition, which will see one winner launch their business idea.

Qantas has been warned by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to better its response to consumers impacted by the grounding of the fleet last weekend.

BigCommerce has opened its platform to global developers via the new RESTful API, as it aims to build the world’s first e-commerce platform.

New statistics show 1 in 4 local consumers support the idea of a ‘try-on’ retail fee, designed to steer consumers away from trying goods in-store before buying them online.

Woolworths CEO Grant O’Brien has announced the company will create 10,000 new retail jobs by the end of the financial year, as the business recruits staff to work in new stores and distribution centres.

Australia now has an official group buying code of conduct, designed to boost consumer confidence in the platform and ensure they make informed choices about purchases, and to promote compliance and best practices within the industry.

Harvey Norman’s revenue fell 3.8 percent in the three months to September 30, with its Australian, Kiwi, Slovenian and Irish franchises generating sales of $1.48 billion.

The Western Australian business community has begun its annual search for the top 40 in business leaders under 40.

Businesses are feeling confident about trading conditions for the upcoming year, following surprisingly positive expectation results during the September quarter.

Rebecca Wilson blogs about the impact the Qantas grounding has had on the reliable Australian brand.

“The Qantas grounding is another blow to the brand of our previously very stable, secure and reliable nation, known for its lack of sovereign risk, stable investment environment, conservative growth-supporting governments, good sports achievements, sunny weather and great beaches, not to mention our previously faultless flying kangaroo.”

The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates by 25 basis points yesterday, taking the cash rate down to 4.5 percent in time for the all important Christmas season.

Brad Callaughan blogs about creating a positive work environment for the benefit of your business.

“Your business is only as successful as its staff, therefore, it is of utmost importance that you develop a positive work culture in your business.”