Power Retail

Newly appointed David Jones CEO Erica Berchtold has said that supply chain will play a central role in the department store's next chapter, arguing that operational excellence is just as important as the products on the shelves.

Eight in ten Australian online shoppers have some concern about using AI to find and research products, led by concerns around accuracy, privacy, and trust in recommendations, according to new research from IAB Australia and Pureprofile.

The Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees' Association (SDA), South Australia's largest union, has won a pivotal underpayment test case that could have major national implications for Chemist Warehouse, with large potential backpay liabilities.

As AI agents become key to online shopping, a new industry collaboration helps distinguish legitimate customers and authorised AI assistants from malicious bots without compromising consumer privacy. Cloudflare has announced it is working alongside browser developers Mozilla, Google and Microsoft to develop a new open protocol known as Private Access Control Tokens (PACT).

Craft Club founder Nakisah Williams has been named Female Founder of the Year at the 2026 SHE-com Women in Ecommerce Awards, recognition that reflects the rapid rise of an Australian ecommerce business that has turned a niche craft category into a multi-million-dollar retail success. Presented by Omnisend,

Australian footwear retailer Betts will close more than half of its remaining physical store network after appointing voluntary administrators to accelerate a restructuring of the 134-year-old business. The family-owned retailer, once home to almost 220 stores across Australia, will shut 20 of its remaining 35 locations as it continues shifting its focus towards ecommerce.

European second-hand fashion marketplace Vinted will officially launch in Australia on July 1st, arriving as shoppers increasingly shop the circular economy. According to Australia Post's 2026 eCommerce Report, 46 percent of Australians buy second-hand items annually, while the Australian recommerce market is forecast to reach USD $6.75 billion by 2029.

MECCA will be opening a second megastore at the end of this year, following on from the huge success of its Bourke Street flagship opening last year. The beauty retailer will be consolidating its three Chadstone shopping centre stores into one mega beauty destination.

More than 60 retail leaders gathered in Melbourne this week for Retail Global's Executive Breakfast to explore one of the industry's biggest questions: how can retailers move beyond AI experimentation and deliver real commercial outcomes? The emergence of agentic commerce was a key element in this, as AI evolves from a search tool into an active shopping assistant.

Discover Trends That Will Shape 2027! The Outlook Lunch will provide new and exciting data and insights on the ecommerce landscape, a deep dive into emerging trends, and a roadmap for how retailers can successfully navigate what's next!