Retail & Consumer Products

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The Australian retail and consumer products industry is experiencing a period of significant transformation with changes such as the uptake of AI, automation, shifts in consumer behaviour, supply chain resilience, and evolving operational practices.

At the same time, retailers are contending with rising cost pressures and the increasing complexity of workforce compliance.

Retailers must focus on building sustainable and resilient operations, profitable cost and productivity strategies, workforce transformation, leveraging advanced technology, and the growing significance of customer retention and personalisation to stay competitive.

While the retail sector will continue to face challenges, there are opportunities for growth and innovation as retailers adapt to the evolving landscape. Knowing what to prioritise is critical.

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86.5%

Consumer confidence has improved from 2023 to 2025¹

9.8m

Australian households shopped online in 2024, up 2.3% from the previous year²

96%

of Australians want brands to contribute positively and do good in the world³

Top trends in Retail & Consumer Products

Create customer-centric experiences

As consumer expectations evolve, retailers must prioritise personalised and omnichannel experiences to stay relevant and attract loyal customers.

By leveraging innovative technologies and strategies, businesses can create engaging and seamless shopping experiences where they’re able to anticipate the needs of their customers successfully.

Build sustainable and resilient operations

With an increase in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and sustainability reporting requirements, and unstable geopolitical conditions, integrating sustainability, ethics and supply chain resilience is crucial for long-term success in the Australian retail industry.

Workforce transformation and upskilling

For many, workforce optimisation is the most effective lever to shift cost out, improve margins and enhance productivity while strengthening regulatory compliance.

Investing in your workforce drives innovation and addresses the challenges of the evolving retail landscape. Retailers must prioritise employee development and cultivate a culture of continuous learning to build a future-ready workforce capable of navigating change and driving growth.

Workforce models, Workforce Management (WFM) processes and systems must be fit-for-purpose, implementable and compliant as regulatory expectations evolve.

Case study

Operations transformation

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Client challenge

A major Australian retailer faced stalled revenue, rising costs, and misaligned functions. Excess stock, unprofitable stores, and inefficient supply chain operations were driving significant cost pressures.

The solution

Grant Thornton partnered with a major Australian retailer to co-design and lead FACTORY-TO-CUSTOMER, streamlining operations from sourcing to customer delivery across functions like planning, logistics, stores, and IT.

The outcome

The project cut supply chain costs via better operations, process efficiency, and automation; boosted margins through smarter planning and stock control; and lowered costs by consolidating structure around forecasting and replenishment.

Case study

Trading terms optimisation

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Client challenge

A leading Australian retailer hadn’t reviewed supplier terms in years, with income lagging sales. Grant Thornton was engaged to deliver a discovery and execution program, aligning supplier benefits with major supply chain changes.

The solution

The retailer needed support to plan and deliver a supplier trading terms program. Grant Thornton set up governance, quantified opportunities, built supplier strategies and playbooks, and tracked benefits to drive structured negotiations.

The outcome

Grant Thornton helped the retailer improve margins by leading collaborative negotiations with key suppliers. This enabled the client to meet targeted in-year benefits through a structured program of works.

Case study

Workforce planning

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Client challenge

A major retail group revealed years of employee underpayment due to weak time and attendance processes. They sought to secure compliance, then assess improved tools to better align labour spend with customer demand.

The solution

Grant Thornton worked with HR and project teams to select the best system and build a Board-ready business case. Despite differing brand processes, we streamlined workflows, optimised labour costs, and began rollout with the chosen vendor.

The outcome

The project resulted in a fully compliant system and process covering employee time and attendance and significant streamlining of processes which will drive significant labour cost savings.

Case study

Whistleblowing and payroll assurance

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Client challenge

After European investors took control of an Australian fashion retailer, whistleblowers raised potential underpayments. The company needed to act quickly to resolve issues internally and meet Fair Work Ombudsman obligations.

The solution

Grant Thornton, led by forensics and tax experts with advanced analytics, was engaged to review claims, quantify under-reporting, and liaise with authorities to manage financial and corporate risk.

The outcome

The team conducted a comprehensive review, addressing statutory requirements, identifying exposure points, and developing compliance controls, supported by data analytics and automation for accuracy and efficiency.

Case study

Supply chain automation

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Client challenge

A major online retailer, having reached capacity at its sites due to unprecedented growth, sought to enhance customer and employee experiences while exploring ways to further scale demand through a blend of automation and human...

The solution

Grant Thornton’s management consulting team partnered with the online retailer to design, program, and monitor a custom-built Customer Fulfilment Centre equipped with Locus Robotics’ autonomous mobile robots.

The outcome

The project resulted in a fully compliant system and process covering employee time and attendance and significant streamlining of processes which will drive significant labour cost savings.