Retail

The rail line between WA and the east coast is open after being closed for a record 24 days, but supermarket shelves could take four to six weeks to be restocked.

Australia's competition regulator has given the all clear for Wesfarmers to acquire Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, a key condition needed to close the deal.

Shortages on Perth supermarket shelves could last until late March, although the reconnection of the state's rail link with the east is now expected next week.

Easing of lockdown restrictions and a splurge by festive season shoppers have helped retail sales jump by a record 8.2 per cent in the December quarter.

WA shoppers will be subjected to product limits at major supermarkets after floods in South Australia disrupted supply chains, leaving some shelves empty.

The state government is expecting to implement a ‘land bridge' in coming days to transport products from the east coast to WA after railways in SA were damaged by floods.

Retail sales fell 3.5 per cent in Western Australia in December, amid a soft month across the nation as Omicron hit.

Food suppliers and supermarkets are scrambling to find ways to get produce to WA, after it was announced flood-damaged rail lines in SA could take at least 12 days to be repaired.

Wesfarmers is on track for first-half earnings that meet investor expectations despite Kmart and Target struggling from coronavirus impacts.

The federal government is working to ease pressure on supply chains amid spiking Omicron cases as stock is thinning out on supermarket shelves.

Woolworths Group has withdrawn its bid for Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API), leaving Wesfarmers as the only suitor for the Priceline Pharmacy owner.

Wesfarmers says it won't accept any takeover offer made by Woolworths for API, as the retail giants fight for ownership of Australian Pharmaceutical Industries.

For half a century, the Frank family has been carving a niche in Perth's retail space.

State government spending to market and manage Yagan Square dropped 17 per cent over three years, despite a growing list of tenants hitting the wall.

Retail giant Woolworths has endured one of its most challenging trading periods following the emergence of the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

WA hospitality and events businesses are finding ways to cut waste.

Online retailer Booktopia is being taken to court after refusing to offer refunds to consumers who received faulty or incorrect items.

In four years, the owners of Flower Box Home Fragrance have transformed their brand from a home-based startup to a nationally recognised candle, diffuser, and perfume retailer.

Woolworths has pitched an $872 million takeover offer for Australian Pharmaceutical Industries, pitting the retail giant against Wesfarmers.

Unemployment is at record lows in WA, but pressure from mass resignations and outbound travellers is looming.

Rising consumer spending has helped Western Australia's domestic economy grow 0.6 per cent in the September quarter, while the national economy shrank 1.8 per cent.

Perth-based skincare company Clean & Pure and education provider Engineering Institute of Technology took out national prizes at the Australian Export Awards last night.

Retail spending rose 4.9 per cent in October as COVID-19 restrictions eased across the country however WA only reported a 0.2 per cent increase in sales.

Wide Open Agriculture has landed its first major distribution deal, signing an initial one-year agreement with Woolworths to carry the company's OatUP brand nationally.

Wages lifted 0.8 per cent in the three months to September in Western Australia, slightly more than the national increase.

Drawing a line in the sand and setting a date to reopen the state's borders will help speed up vaccinations, Wesfarmers chief executive Rob Scott has said.

The ASX-listed company behind Dan Murphy's and BWS is in the process of purchasing family-owned liquor store Swanbourne Cellars.

Coles has opted not to follow Woolworths in requiring all employees be vaccinated against COVID-19, instead relying on health orders in some states.

Listed security business MCS Services has won a $4.8 million contract to monitor all shopping precincts owned and managed by Vicinity Centres in WA.

Tony Galati's Spudshed empire made $420 million of revenue in the year to June, but rising costs have put pressure on margins.

Shoe retailer Betts has posted a profit as it worked to rein in costs, but its annual report reveals negative net assets and falling cash reserves.

Podiatrist and business owner Rachael Ferguson has persevered through the pandemic, landing another retail deal for her new pain relief product.