Following heated debate on the topic, the federal government hosted an Online Retail Forum in Sydney on February 18. Here, Ragtrader offers an edited transcript of the discussion that arose on the benefits and challenges of online retail in Australia.

The Discovery Group has remained coy on talk it is set to acquire designer brands Wayne Cooper and Akira Isogawa. “give me a month,” says chief executive Danny Avidan. Assia Benmedjdoub checks in on the existing labels.

Ragtrader regularly investigates how key shopping strips in regional Australia are faring. Daniela Aroche looks at trade in the Bath Lane precinct of Bendigo.

Trade fair Fashion Exposed was set against A difficult retail environment. Daniela Aroche gets the verdict.

This month local Trade fair Fashion Exposed unveiled its new designer precinct ‘Premiere’.

SYDNEY: Footwear and accessories label PeepToe is preparing to take the business to new heights with new chief executive Sue Ellen Mackintosh-Dixon at the helm and fresh initiatives in place.

SYDNEY: Mavi Jeans Australia has hired an all-star sales team from some of the most iconic denim brands in the country as part of an overall refresh for the brand.

An expansion into non-denim apparel and a push into the UK and US markets are set to dominate the activities of plus size label Embody over the next nine months.

Online portal www.ragtrader.com.au secured an exclusive preview of the first product delivery for Zara Sydney ahead of its official opening.

Oakley Australia has installed a 22-year-old skateboarder in the driver's seat of its online content generation as part of its first large-scale investment in social media.

The industry has been abuzz with debate about the pros and cons of online shopping. Now Ebay Australia is readying its own fashion e-tail strategy. Assia Benmedjdoub reports.

SYDNEY: Apparel Group, which manages power brands Saba and Sportscraft, has appointed Burberry senior executive Daniel Bracken to the newly created role of CEO.

Forever New has denied its decision to roll out size four clothing in Australia is part of a strategy to target the ‘tween’ market.

BRISBANE: Diana Ferrari has unveiled a three-pronged social media strategy designed to increase customer awareness that it offers apparel and accessories as well as footwear.

Krites has again hit the acquisition trail, securing local distribution rights for two international labels.

MELBOURNE: A legal stoush over the sale of womenswear brand Metalicus to PAS Group in 2007 has finally been resolved in the Supreme Court of Victoria.