Frasers Group, the UK-based parent of Sports Direct, has signed a long-term retail agreement with Accent Group to launch and operate Sports Direct across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), marking the next step in Frasers’ international growth plans.

FY25 marked a turning point for the Australian retail real estate market, characterised by a sharp increase in buyer activity, renewed confidence in larger-scale assets, and a series of landmark transactions signalling a clear return to growth.

Australia’s online retail sales are in a growth phase, with the e-commerce penetration rate rising back to an all-time high rate of 14.3 per cent and is forecast to be 17 per cent by 2029.

A global corporate study by SAP indicates that 68 percent of Australian businesses have seen sustainability strategies contributing to outcomes like revenue or profit growth as well as efficiency of business processes. Australian brands are increasingly looking to integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into their operations.

Tech trends and cyber safety are reshaping how retailers engage with customers, enhance their operations, and deliver value. The retail industry is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the integration of advanced technologies and innovative strategies.

The Rise of Snacking Culture in Australia In recent years, Australia has seen a significant shift in its eating habits. Gone are the days of the traditional three-square meals a day, but instead Australia’s are now enjoying snacking between meals as part of their everyday lifestyle.

Australian supermarket brand Woolworths leads the nation with a Sustainability Perceptions Value (SPV) value of AUD978 million, according to the Sustainability Perceptions Index 2025 report by Brand Finance, ‘the world’s leading’ brand valuation consultancy. The report quantifies the financial value of sustainability perceptions and highlights the gaps between brand reputation and actual ESG performance.

SYDNEY (Reuters) -The Australian government has confirmed it will contribute A$3.435 billion ($2.25 billion) towards the A$7.1 billion cost of building the venues for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, clearing the way for the start of construction. This will be the largest-ever sports infrastructure spend to Brisbane Olympics.

McDonald's Australia plans to open 30-50 new restaurants across Australia in 2026, focusing on addressing restaurant gaps and investing in the Australian community. This expansion occurs amidst projected growth in the Australian fast-food market, estimated to reach USD 26.0 billion by 2033. Simultaneously, McDonald's is locking prices on select menu items to provide value to customers facing cost-of-living pressures.

Amazon & Temu rivalry heats up in Australian eCommerce

The Australian Energy Market Commission (AEMC) announced major new reforms that will deliver stronger protections for energy consumers and help more households access better energy deals. The new rules, responding to requests submitted by Energy Ministers in August 2024, will restrict energy retailers from raising prices more than once per year, remove unfair fees for vulnerable customers, and ensure hardship customers benefit from their retailer's cheapest available deals if they cannot switch.

The State of Australia’s Food System Australia’s food system generated over $800 billion in goods and services in the financial year 2022–23 and added over $200 billion to Australia’s economy. It employed more than 3.5 million people across food value chains from agricultural production to food services and supported a workforce around four times larger than its own over the previous decade. The value added to the Australian economy by the food system grew by 1.3% per year between 2006–07 and 2022–23.

The Australia duty-free and travel retail market size reached USD 1.2 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 2.2 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2% during 2025-2033.

SEPHORA, the global leading omnichannel prestige beauty retailer, is thrilled to unveil the opening of three new stores as part of its expansion across Australia for 2024. These new locations— Westfield Marion, Adelaide, Westfield Fountain Gate, Melbourne and Westfield North Lakes, Brisbane.

The Australian payment card market (including at POS and ATM cash withdrawals) is expected to grow by 5.2% to reach AUD1.2 trillion ($804.7 billion) in 2025e, supported by constant consumer shift towards non-cash payments, forecasts GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The global luxury retail market, valued at approximately USD 386 billion in 2024 (Bain & Company), has demonstrated significant strength and substantial growth over recent years. A dynamic evolution marks this growth in response to shifting consumer preferences and global economic factors, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of some 6.8% from 2024 to 2030. Global real estate investment manager Deka Immobilien has announced its intention to offer the prestigious Bvlgari flagship retail premises located at 64-68 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, for sale.

Retail sector shake up as Amazon enters B2B market

Retail Show Australia 2025 event page is officially launched at Melbourne Convention Exhibition Center website. Check it now for more information on the venue!

A new service is launching this week at Ikea Rhodes in Sydney, allowing customers to shop and pick up their orders during the early morning or late into the evening. 54 new pick-up lockers have landed in the car park, located near the existing Ikea Click and Collect area.

The Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) payment market in Australia is expected to grow by 12.1% on annual basis to reach US$14.52 billion in 2025.