Confidence among retailers plunged at the end of 2025, but has since recovered slightly.

“Opening our first boutiques in Western Australia feels incredibly special,” founder Charlotte Blakeney says.

Australia's retail peak body is rejecting two of the Anti-Slavery Commissioner's key proposals.

These exits from Hobart come as Tasmania's fashion spending continues to grow slightly year-on-year.

This comes as total online spending surges to $82.6 billion.

“We do not believe that supplier relationships should be exited lightly," R.M.Williams shared in its FY25 Modern Slavery Statement.

First a surge in global oil prices, and now this.

Strand's associated luggage business Antler, based in the UK, has shifted leadership to include a global eye on the Nere brand.

The Iconic, meanwhile, has overtaken Shein, nudging into third place among the top fashion brands and retailers.

"There is no question the fashion industry needs to do better," The Iconic's Gayle Burchell said.

The lowest point for consumer confidence was in late March 2020, when a virus spread across the globe.

The lingerie brand's turnaround keeps hitting milestones, including its first positive operating income in years.

The Queensland government has invested $4.97 million in the project.

But it's not all fine and dandy.

The company is attempting to scale the production of lab-grown garment textiles, among other materials and patents.

Peak body Retail NZ thinks the new rules could cause confusion as both retailers and shoppers get used to the changes.