Company results wrap: retail sales flat, but some retailers buck the trend

"Retail sales data showed growth in the sector falling flat last week, and it remains a tough time to be a retailer in Australia. Overall, shoppers are expecting more for less, abandoning any sense of loyalty. However, there are bright sparks of success in the moribund sector that point towards what works and what doesn’t in making profits in retail. Australia’s overall inflation, currently at historical lows, is only kept above zero by the increasing prices of services like health and education, not by retail goods. Retail staples like food, clothing and footwear are all cheaper than this time last year. Price competition, and pressure on margins in the grocery and clothing markets is intense." Read more

John Rice and Nigel Martin The Conversation 5 Sep 2016