Retail

A judge has allowed a "painfully slow" competition class action against Sony over its PlayStation store practices to file an amended pleading, after expressing concerns the case was not properly resourced.  

Coles has argued that the competition regulator’s decision rejecting the supermarket giant's bid to lease a new site in Kalgoorlie, WA was based on a theory of harm that is novel under Australian law. 

Coles has asked the Australian Competition Tribunal to allow its proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in a supermarket and liquor store site in Kalgoorlie to go ahead, saying the ACCC's determination "may have broader implications for future supermarket developments under the new merger regime".

A class action on behalf of 32,000 ALDI workers who were allegedly denied pay for pre- and post-shift work has settled for $55 million, with the retail workers union set to receive $1.5 million towards its costs.

The owner of a proposed shopping centre development in Melton is appealing a Victorian Supreme Court order that it return $1.5 million to a defunct developer that allegedly breached a $30 million land sale contract.

A director of Athlete's Foot owner Accent Group has stepped down as the retailer cooperates with an ASIC investigation into insider trading of its shares and tries to fend off a hostile takeover offer from shareholder Frasers Group.

Viral plush toy maker Jellycat has fired off an IP suit against Coles, claiming the supermarket sold poorer quality, copycat versions of its popular anthropomorphic Christmas tree and wreath soft toys. 

Competition lawyers are watching with interest to see if Coles appeals the ACCC's decision to block its proposed acquisition of a leasehold interest in a site in Kalgoorlie, with a tribunal review to provide a valuable early test of the new merger regime.

PGIM’s Real Estate Investment Group and private equity manager Assembly Funds Management have teamed up to acquire the Ed.Square Town Centre in south-west Sydney from Frasers for $248 million.

Victoria’s State Revenue Office has gone to the High Court in its battle with shopping centre landlord Vicinity Funds over $82.5 million in stamp duty.