The owner of the Mr Whippy master franchise says Auckland's frozen dessert market is close to reaching "saturation point".

New Zealand-owned supermarket operator Foodstuffs may be drawn into the stoush over claims suppliers are being bullied by Australian-owned Countdown supermarkets.

The country's biggest listed retailer The Warehouse has launched a free app designed to make online shopping even easier.

Outdoor apparel and clothing retailer Kathmandu has expanded its online offering and is now shipping product to more than 40 countries.

New Zealand consumer confidence rose to a nine-year high with optimism about the economy in the year ahead approaching record levels.

Consumers' plastic cards saw more of the light of day last month, but the trend suggests some loss of momentum in retail spending.

New Zealanders spent more on their credit and debit cards in February, fuelled by spending on hospitality

The Warehouse Group, New Zealand's biggest listed retailer, has reported half-year profit in line with guidance and a lift in sales across its various retail brands.

An industry body representing non-bank finance companies has welcomed The Warehouse's move into financial services and says it should bring greater competition for consumers.

The Warehouse says it's setting up its own financial services operation with the aim of becoming a leader in the NZ field.

The queue to buy Lotto tickets at a separate supermarket counter after the weekend shopping could disappear as Countdown introduces checkout ticket sales.

A government-backed venture investment fund is looking to partner with angel investment groups and the public in crowd funding deals for local start-ups.

After throwing the idea of government-owned supermarkets into the ring, I have been exhorted to visit North Korea (preferably permanently), writes Dita De Boni.

New Zealand fast-food operator BurgerFuel faces a major challenge as it takes "coals to Newcastle" by expanding into the US.

NZX-listed SLI Systems has released a new software feature it says will increase the value of online shoppers' transactions by 5 to 15 per cent on average.

Have you ever wondered why the supermarket toilet paper aisle features more puppies and kittens than a pet shop?

Farmers has stood proud in Auckland's central city for nearly a century - but the iconic store is about to close its doors for the last time in the CBD.

NZ suppliers are fearful of speaking to the Commerce Commission about anti-competitive behaviour in case they are blacklisted across the Tasman, claims MP Shane Jones.

The Commerce Commission has received several complaints from suppliers about their dealings with Countdown.

Countdown supermarkets' Australian owners no doubt think their treatment of suppliers here came under attack this week.

Whistleblowers who come forward with information about alleged unfair business practices by supermarket giant Countdown can do so under cover of anonymity.

The company that ran Nando's in NZ had defaulted on royalty payments and owed $1.6m to its bank when it went into receivership, according to the first receivers' report.

Countdown owner Progressive Enterprises has confirmed it received up to $2m from a liquor company - but denies it's a payment Labour's Shane Jones was talking about.

Consumers would be the ultimate losers if supermarkets were extracting retrospective payments from their suppliers, Commerce Minister Craig Foss said this afternoon.

Consumers' plastic cards saw less of the light of day last month, with electronic card transactions in the retail sector falling a seasonally adjusted 0.5 per cent from December.