Economic News

A new air of optimism among Australian businesses is good news for the nation’s commercial property sector, with experts tipping expansions, investments and new life in the leasing market.

While 2013 turned into a better year than many expected, now it’s time to ask where the market is headed in 2014. Consumer sentiment recovered from its low point in mid-2013 but retailers are still battling pressures from online sales and high rents.

Department stores’ share of retail spending has been falling for 10 years. With retail turnover growth tracking below its long-term average, the road ahead is a challenging one.

Online retailing, toys, games and restaurants are expected to be the big winners this Christmas as Australians shop from home and load the festive table.

With the Australian dollar falling 11% in 2013, many economists have pointed to the hotel sector as the biggest winner. Paul Thornhill investigates. There’s nothing quite like a change in the foreign exchange markets to …