Our latest insights

Australian retailers faced a challenging 2024, with rising costs and reduced consumer spending power. As 2025 shapes up to be another tough year, an end-to-end approach to profitability is key. From optimising supply chains to rethinking product strategies, breaking down silos allows retailers to make holistic decisions that support tangible results. Discover how integrated profitability reviews can help you drive resilience.

In today’s competitive retail landscape, consumers expect more value than ever. From affordable options to personalised experiences, the challenge for retailers is clear: how to consistently meet and exceed these expectations.

Post-Black Friday, many retailers have reported robust sales and healthy profit margins. Yet, uncertainty lingers as consumers strategically navigate economic shifts, reshaping the holiday shopping timeline. Retailers now face the challenge of balancing promotions and managing costs to ensure sustained profitability in evolving market dynamics.

While consumer spending was strong during Black Friday weekend, consumers are seeking value for money as household discretionary spending becomes tighter. As a result, they’re making more considered purchase decisions for bargains to save in the long run. Read more about how consumer behaviour has changed, and how this will impact the Retail sector in 2023.

With disruption caused by ongoing pandemic considerations, a new COVID-19 wave on the horizon, enduring supply chain issues and inflation front of mind, retailers have faced uncertainty on all fronts. Yet with people looking forward to a sense of normality this festive season, retailers have been bracing for Black Friday weekend like never before.

The latest economic figures show there will be a challenging period ahead for the Australian economy and at Grant Thornton, we know that the retail sector is not immune to these shifting tides.

Without a doubt the number one challenge facing retailers right now is people, and this new phase of the pandemic is creating a lot of headaches.

The world of retail used to be much simpler. It was an industry that was driven by creativity, trends and a gut feel for what would sell.