Small business

Trends

What's old is new again

JULIANNE DOWLING As the economy continues to bounce back from the global downturn, many employers are taking a fresh look at their older staff.

The sparkle returns to retail

PHILIP HOPKINS Despite the difficulty obtaining funding and the worry of rising interest rates, the outlook for retail property is improving.

iPhone is the place to do business

DAVID BRAUE iPhone applications offer brand-building, an additional sales channel, a highly measurable marketing tool, and the opportunity to interact with discerning Gen Y buyers.

Optimism, but hospitality not out of the woods just yet

While there are signs of burgeoning upturn for cafes and retailers, a leading forecaster predicts a bleaker revenue outlook this year for the restaurant scene.

Bloomingdale's Dubai opening has lessons for Australia

The 200-story Burj Khalifa building stands in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

MICHAEL BAKER When arguably America's most glam department store, Bloomingdale's, opened in the hulking Dubai Mall last week, it created a huge buzz that should have gladdened the hearts of department store fans everywhere.

Investment bankers to win out from climate change

CHRIS ZAPPONE Climate change is expected to shape Australia's top jobs this year - with investment bankers among those set to reap the benefits.

One step back for womankind

Adele Ferguson

ADELE FERGUSON Too many boardrooms are filled with inadequate directors who rely on group think for their decision-making skills.

Trends

Why Twitter is here to stay

Twitter icon

JULIANNE DOWLING IF you thought the noise around social media phenomena such as Twitter might start dying down, you would be wrong.

Retail

Not so low-rent

Chanel

MICHAEL BAKER Can't afford haute couture? Just rent it, writes Michael Baker.

Trends

Medical marijuana trade goes up in smoke

Medical marijuana

Authorities are cracking down on California's thriving medical marijuana trade.

Next year's 10 great retail trends

Victoria's Secret could be available over your moibiles.

MICHAEL BAKER Being able to buy your Victoria's Secret lingerie over your mobile will be among the hot trends to watch for next year.

Retail

Which retailers will make it through the festive season?

Santa

MICHAEL BAKER Christmas is looming as a litmus test for retailers, writes Michael Baker.

Trends

Rich pickings

Nicola Wood with her Chanel handbag. Picture: Simon Schluter.

RACHEL WELLS Bucking a worldwide trend, Melbourne is bracing for a boom in luxury stores.

Copyright

Small firm battles Chanel over design

Carmen Colle, head of  World Tricot is taking on Chanel. Picture: AFP.

LIZZY DAVIES A French small business owner is taking on the might of one of world's greatest fashion houses, Chanel over a crochet pattern.

Analysis

Popping up everywhere

Pop ups

MICHAEL BAKER Pop-up stores - temporary retail outlets in unconventional locations - are part of an international trend that is catching on here, writes Michael Baker.

Confidence grows, sales jump

CHRIS ZAPPONE Retail sales climb more than expected, as consumers emboldened by the economy’s strength keep shopping.

Light goes out on tanning salons

DANIELLA MILETIC Number of tanning solariums plummets, with tougher legislation and consumers' heightened fear of skin cancer.

Rates will rise: RBA

Interest rates will need to be raised in a "timely" way as demand picks up, RBA says.

Recruitment gets back on the job

david symons thumb

DAVID SYMONS There is nothing like a couple of takeovers to breathe life into an unloved sector.

Trends

Women on the rise in the racing industry

Event organiser, Judy Romano.

ERIKA WOODS Horse racing may be the sport of kings, but more and more women are taking to the track - and beating the men to the finishing post.

Editor's picks

Technology

How to rocket your search engine ranking to the top of Google

Your small business search ranking must appear on the first page of Google results -- or else. Few people bother to search much further.

That extra little bite

The shrinking size of favourite sweet-treats promoted two entrepreneurs to go into business themselves.