Retail

Administrators of collapsed retailer Colette by Colette Hayman will not have to pay over $714,000 in rent after court ruled that a temporary rent freeze in light of the COVID-19 crisis was in the interests of the company's creditors.

Barristers for the ACCC and online retailer Kogan have been asked to robe up at home as the previously in-person trial shifts to videochat in response to the COVID-19 health crisis.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has found Bunnings' $30 million takeover of Adelaide Tools and Oaklands Mower Centre would not substantially lessen competition, but warned it would closely scrutinise future moves that would further cement the hardware giant's dominant position.

The lead applicants in two class actions against 7-Eleven are considering bringing a contempt of court motion against the convenience store giant after the Full Federal Court derailed their challenge to prior orders allowing the company to seek litigation releases from franchisees.

Group members in two settled class actions against clothing retailer Surfstitch have been told the settlement amount available to them has plummeted amid a "very difficult retail environment".

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has approved Coles' planned acquisition of chilled meals supplier Jewel, saying the sale was better for competition than the liquidation of Jewel's assets.

A judge has signed off on a $42.5 million settlement of a class action against Cash Converters, brought on behalf of consumers that look out personal loans, in a move that will see the plaintiffs firm behind the case pocket $12.4 million.

A judge has criticised the parties in a land sale dispute over Sydney's Parklea Markets for failing to make progress to bring the case to a close, almost three months after a $4.25 million judgment was awarded to a company owned by local retail personality Con Constantine.

Australian swimwear retailer Tigerlily has filed for voluntary administration, citing unfavourable conditions for retailers as the coronavirus pandemic shutters all but non-essential services in major states.

Supermarket chain Woolworths, which is facing a class action over its staff underpayments, has admitted the amount owed to workers is at least $315 million, far higher than the company’s initial estimate of $200 million to $300 million.