Retail

Getprice.com.au the Australian online price comparison/shopping site co-founded by Jared Oken in 2005 has been bought by News Digital Media for an undisclosed sum.

Microsoft and PBL yesterday launched Cudo.com.au, yet another Groupon clone in an already crowded Australian market filled with the likes of JumpOnit, Ouffer, Spreets, OurDeal and Scoupon run by Catchoftheday.

Brisbane’s Queen Street Mall remains one of the most in-demand retail spaces in Australia according to Jones Lang LaSalle following an off-market lease deal done for circa $3,500sqm by Retail Leasing Negotiator Emile Traversari.

The Australian Retailers Association said the ABS July Retail Trade figures released yesterday showing a 0.7 percent growth in July retail trade was “not good enough”.

Salmat today announced that its leading shopping portal for retail advertisers Lasoo.com.au, has been awarded a triple A-rated Statement of Accessibility Conformance by Vision Australia.

Harvey Norman has announced a profit of $290.04 million, up 15.8 percent on last year, showing there is still life in bricks and mortar retailing and dismissing suggestions from rival Ruslan Kogan that Harvey Norman’s business model is dead.

Groupon clone OurDeal is hoping online group coupon ordering won’t be an ordeal as it tries to replicate the success of Groupon clones Spreets, Ouffer and Jump On It in the Australian market.

Coles has refused to put the prices of its groceries online, fearing comparison shopping with rival Woolworths and independent retailers.

RCG Corporation, parent company of The Athlete’s Foot has posted a Net Profit After Tax of $6.9 million, some 30.6 percent higher than last year on the back of an 11.6 percent increase in sales from The Athlete’s Foot stores.

Australian surfwear brand Billabong has suffered terribly as a result of the appreciation of the Australian dollar, with international sales up, but profit down 4.5 percent.

Former Dynamic Business Magazine cover star Ruslan Kogan has slammed traditional bricks and mortar retailers for failing to innovate in the face of a changing marketplace.

Ted’s Cameras celebrates its 40th birthday this year after Ted Todd opened his first Ted’s Camera’s store on Elizabeth Street, Melbourne in 1970, surviving the ‘digital revolution’ to still be retailing in Australia 40 years later.

Global cookie and coffee franchise Mrs. Fields has continued its strong growth during 2010 with four new stores opening across three Australian states in just 50 days.

Direct Factory Outlets’ (DFO) failed South Wharf complex in Melbourne will see the insolvency firm KordaMentha called in as receivers for DFO owners Austexx as early as this afternoon.

Retail trade in Australia has improved, but only by 0.2 percent in June, repeating the 0.2 percent growth in retail sales recorded by the ABS in May this year.

Heinz, who already possessed a strong retail distribution channel, found itself able to leverage the Golden Circle franchise distribution network after purchasing Golden Circle in December 2008.

Jaycar Electronics expands this week with the launch of its latest store in New Lynn, Auckland; its 11th store across New Zealand.

Mobil stores are free to be rebranded as 7-Eleven outlets after the ACCC gave the acquisition of Mobil by 7-Eleven approval to proceed, concluding it would not impact competition negatively.

The Athlete’s Foot customers are far and away more satisfied with purchases made with the footwear retailer than competitors Spendless, Mathers, Payless and Williams.

Woolworths Limited has topped expectations, growing sales by 4.2 percent on last year, or 4.8 percent excluding Woolworth’s volatile petrol division.