Full-time employment surges in May

A jump in the number of new jobs has failed to stop a spike in the unemployment rate to 5.1 per cent, as more people joined the labour force and began looking for employment.

IDEAS

The top 5 cities for retail inspiration

Michael Baker It's important to seek ideas outside the island occasionally. Here's where you can get the best bang for your educational buck.

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Small business sales up but retail remains weak

Small business sales increased in May, but retail continued to suffer the weakest growth of all sectors.

Welcome in the middle

Clancy Yeates Confidence among medium-size companies has edged up in recent months, and the sector continues to remain more optimistic than big and small business, a new report says.

TRENDS

Taking on the world of fast fashion

Michael Baker On the eve of a fast fashion revolution in Australia, there are many who are decidedly unimpressed.

Cashing in on a payment revolution

Christopher Niesche When it comes to collecting money from customers, cafes have traditionally been low-tech – a couple of gold coins for a coffee, maybe a card payment for a bigger order.

Mobile shoppers put on an appy face

Melissa Kent Fashion stores are embracing the 'bricks and clicks' phenomenon, as more Melburnians use their phones to shop.

Lack of professionals ahead

Kelly Burke Trends predict Australia will face serious shortages in the health, education and engineering.

Small business sales beat expectations

Sales by small businesses over the all-important Christmas period were better than expected, with mineral-rich WA leading the way.

We're so vain, as thousands of Aussies go under knife

New research shows Aussies are expected to spend almost 20 per cent more this year on looking good.

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Tills quiet at department stores

Clancy Yeates Spending at department stores slumps to its lowest in two years, as spending on food and cafes jumps.

10 shops with a difference

A travel website has compiled a list of the world's weirdest places to part with your cash.

Michael Baker

Catering for retail's golden oldies

Michael Baker Slow check-out lanes, reclining armchairs and lower store shelves: how retailers are tackling the ageing population.

Big rise in business failure rate

Clancy Yeates The number of corporate insolvencies has surged to its highest level in more than a decade.

Michael Baker

Why salespeople are being pushed aside

Michael Baker How magic hangers and other technology is changing the role of the traditional sales assistant.

Confidence on the up amid rate cut hopes

Clancy Yeates and Eli Greenblat Confidence appears to be recovering from ''recession-like'' lows, with expectations of an interest rate cut.

Michael Baker

Retail's good and bad news

Michael Baker Let's not mince words – this has been an unpleasant year for clothing specialty and department stores.

Business surveys at odds

Peter Martin Research into whether conditions have hit rock bottom is stunningly inconclusive.

Business conditions strengthen in Dec qtr

Business conditions strengthened in the last three months of 2011, bolstered by improvements in profitability, employment and trading conditions, private survey finds.